BHAWANIPATNA: An exchange of fire between the security personnel combing Gundia Reserve Forest and the Maoists during the last three days led to recovery of Maoist literature and some other items from the camps.
However, Odisha State Committee Secretary of the rebel outfit Balakrishna alias Modem alias Manoj, who was leading nearly 25 cadres and operating a camp in the area, managed to escape. He carries a reward of Rs 25 lakh on his head, said Kalahandi SP Brijesh Ray.
Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday night, the SP said on getting intelligence input about armed Maoists moving in Manaska, Panchkul, Kankaruan and Baghnakhi villages in the reserve forest under Bhawanipatna Sadar blocks, three groups of Special Operation group (SOG) were engaged in combing operation in the area from February 6. On Monday, when the Maoists opened fire, the SOG jawans retaliated following which the Maoists escaped into the forest.
After nearly two days of exchange of fire, police seized the items from the abandoned Maoist camps, he said.
BSF Public Relation Camp
Jeypore: The 43rd Battalion of BSF, camping in Boipariguda of Koraput district, organised a mega public relation camp at Boipariguda village on Wednesday. The BSF officials called upon the villagers to cooperate in the development works being undertaken and urged them to maintain peace. The BSF also distributed household material, school and sports kits among the tribals. Hundreds of villagers of Dasmantpur, Kedupada, Goudaguda and other peripheral areas of Boipariguda participated.