MALKANGIRI: As the Maoists are set to celebrate annual Martyrs’ Week from July 28 to pay tributes to their slain leaders and cadres, police are leaving nothing to chance despite an announcement by the CPI (Maoist) Malkangiri Divisional Committee that no bandh would be observed during the week.
CPI (Maoist) Malkangiri Divisional Committee Secretary Punam Chandra had announced that vehicular traffic will not be disrupted and business establishments will be allowed to remain open during the weeklong celebration. The Maoist leader in a release had also sought people’s support.
The rebel leader’s announcement has brought relief for the people residing in Maoist hotbeds like Kalimela, Motu, MV-79, Podia, Chitrakonda, Mathili, Bhejangwada, Khairput and Govindpalli areas. Banners exhorting people to pay respect to the slain Maoists have appeared at different parts of the district.
Knowing very well that the cadres are unpredictable, additional police forces have been sent to the areas. Sources said top Maoist leaders from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh entered the district a few weeks back for the celebration and are rumoured to be guiding cadres from both the States. Combing operations are reportedly on and Border Security Forces, jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Forces have been pressed into action in the disturbed areas to avert any untoward incident during the week.
The Maoists have reportedly constructed memorial pylons in the interior areas of Manyamkonda, Telrai, Tekguda, Bhejangwada, MV-79 and are likely to unveil those along with other structures constructed last year.