Odisha Timeline 2012

Date

Incidents

January 1

The CRPF, BSF and the State Police have decided to step up operations against the CPI-Maoist in Southern Odisha soon.

January 4

One person was killed in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kandhamal District.

The Maoists set ablaze three mobile communication towers in Baragada area of Ganjam District on the first day of the two-day bandh called by the Maoists in the State from January 4.

January 5

Three constables of the Orissa Police were killed and as many injured when CPI-Maoist cadres triggered a landmine blast at Badarpanga village in the Kotagarh area in Kandhamal District.

January 6

Kandhamal District observed a bandh to register its protest against CPI-Maoist violence and as a mark of homage to the three Policemen, who died in the landmine blast on January 5. Several towns of Kandhamal, including Raikia, G Udayagiri, Khajuripada and Baliguda joined the bandh, with traders downing their shutters. Schools and colleges were closed for the day as well.

January 7

As the filing of nominations for the panchayat elections began on January 7, CPI-Maoist posters were found in Nuapada District where the Maoists claimed that they would participate in the polls.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Enkana Kadranga (35), at Tolopalesu village under Bandhugaon Police Station in Koraput District.

Junesh Pradhan, panchayat samiti chairman of Daringbadi block in Kandhamal District, was arrested by the Police for his alleged involvement in the Maoist triggered landmine blast that killed three Policemen near Badarpanga village on Kotagarh-Srirampur road on January 5.

The Police arrested another Maoist cadre, identified as Sukadev Digal, from Sipazu in Raikia Police Station area in Kandhamal District. At least six Maoist posters were recovered from him, the Police said.

A 45-year-old CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Somanath Pradhan of Janabadi village under Daringibadi Police Station, was arrested on charges of being involved in the landmine blast at Srirampur under Kotagarh Police Station in Kandhamal District.

During combing operation, SF personnel recovered two more landmines near Srirampur, the same place where the blast happened on January 5.

State Authorities in Gajapati District, in association with private companies, decided to undertaken a vocational training programme in Maoist-inflicted Districts to provide employment to tribal youth to bring them into the mainstream.

Kandhamal Police arrested Manmohan Pradhan, the husband of the sarpanch of Sonepur panchayat in Daringibadi block and two others identified as Suneswar Baladamajhi and Petaguluduka for their reported involvement in CPI-Maoist violence in various places in Kandhamal District.

Security was intensified in the Maoist-affected areas in Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada Districts after intelligence inputs on Maoists pitching camps there.

Suspected Maoist, Andharu Gadaseth, had been arrested in Kandhamal District in relation to the same double murder case.

With just a few weeks to go before panchayat elections, Maoists have started campaigning against the polls in Koraput District.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Ruman Baliarsingh, was arrested from a lodge in Baliguda in Kandhamal District.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian on charges of being a Police informer in Malkangiri District.

A Maoist letter written by Malkangiri Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist found at the spot mentioned Khillo was 'punished' for passing information to the Police about them. The letter also warned of similar consequences for anyone who tries to act as a Police informer.

A cadre of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Dhoba Digal (36) of Gajalabadi village under Sorada Police Station, was arrested in Ganjam District. He was involved in setting ablaze of at least five mobile towers of private operators, three at his village and two at nearby Asurabandh on December 16.

Two more Maoists were arrested in Kaudi forest bordering Keonjhar-Sundargarh-Angul and Deogarh Districts during combing operation and as many country made guns were seized from their possession.

Biramitrapur Police in Sundargarh District arrested Jaspal Singh, a resident of Rajgangpur, for illegal trafficking of detonators. The Police found 450 detonators in his sports utility vehicle. Singh did not have any license to carry the explosives, said SDPO Suman Dutta.

As part of anti-Maoist measures, Koraput District is set to get at least seven model Police Stations, the first of its kind in the State, very soon.

The Odisha High Court rejected the bail plea of Subhashree Panda, alias Mili Panda, the wife of Maoist leader Sabysachi Panda, in the Gudari Police Station case in Koraput District. Justice S C Parija, while rejecting the bail of Mili Panda, now in Police custody, asked the lower court to complete the trial of the case, filed in 2003, as soon as possible.

During raids at different places in MV-79, SFs arrested four Maoists. The arrestees were identified as Sambam Era, Bandami Suba, Bikram Bhumiya and Talem Naga, all from MV-79. "We were tipped off about their presence in MV-79.

The Odisha Police killed a senior CPI-Maoist leader, identified as Subash alias Satish (45), from Chhattisgarh, wanted in several cases in an encounter in Mukhiguda-Majhiguda forest under Chandrapur Police limits in Rayagada District.

The SF personnel, arrested an armed Maoist cadre, identified as Mani Purty alias Munda, from the Roxy reserve forest under K Balang Police Station in Sundargarh District during a combing operation that ensued following a tip-off that he was moving along with five to six other Maoist cadres in the forest.

In an attempt to intensify Maoist operation in Odisha, the MHA has sanctioned one more battalion of CPMF to State.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian on charges of being a Police informer in Narayanpatna in Koraput District. Local villagers spotted the dead body of Bidyut Bisoi (33) near a temple in the outskirts of Narayanpatna. Sources said that a group of Maoists waylaid Bisoi, returning from the temple, around 9 am and attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon in broad daylight.

The Police recovered the body of a Maoist cadre hanging from a tree at Suliapada forest in Mayurbhanj District. The dead Maoist was identified as Bhagabat Marandi of Palo village in Suliapada Police Station and a close associate of Maoist leader Kishore, the Police said.

The Police arrested Girish Mahato alias Mangru Mahto alias Uttam alias Dhiren alias Dhirendra (45), a State organising committee member of the CPI-Maoist, along with one of his close associate, identified as Shankar Munda, from Kharmunda village near canal road area under Attabira Police Station in Bargarh District.

A woman cadre of CPI-Maoist, allegedly involved in several criminal activities, surrendered before the Police in Gajapati District. "The Maoist cadre Tabita Mallick of Gangamunda village in Adaba Police Station area of the District was active in Maoist activities since 2009," SP Sarthak Sarangi said.

CM Naveen Patnaik reiterated Odisha's demand for inclusion of Nuapada, Bargarh, Bolangir and Kalahandi Districts in the centrally sponsored SRE scheme. In a letter to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Naveen pointed out that there has been a significant rise in Naxal violence in parts of Chhattisgarh bordering Odisha as well as Nuapada, Bolangir and Bargarh Districts. "Maoists are building up a base in Sunabeda reserve forest of Nuapada and its adjoining areas. They are also trying to spread their network along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border by creating and consolidating bases in Nuapada, Bargarh, Bolangir and Kalahandi Districts of western Odisha," he said. Naveen said there was an urgent need to include the four Districts under the purview of the SRE scheme to strengthen security infrastructure so as to effectively curtail and contain the spread of the LWE.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman cadre, were killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in Koraput District. Acting on an intelligence input, troopers of DVF conducted a combing operation in the Bandhugaon area where a group of Maoists were spotted. As the Maoists and SF personnel came face to face, an encounter erupted in which two Maoists were killed and their bodies recovered, DIG, south-west, Soumendra Priyadarshi said. One of the slain Maoists, was identified as Chitrakam Reddy alias Sitru (30), an 'area commander' of Jhanjabati division of CPI-Maoist while the other one was his wife, a woman cadre whose identity was yet to be ascertained, he said. Some arms and ammunition were also recovered from the spot.

January 29

The SFs arrested two suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from a forest area in Malkangiri District. The duos, identified as Pabitra Nayak alias Pati and Bhagaban Bhumiya alias Deba, were arrested during a combing operation in Rajgiri forest based on intelligence input. The SFs also recovered some arms and ammunition from their possession.

January 31

SFs arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from the Saranda forest, under Rourkela Police Station in Sundargarh District. The arrested Maoists, identified as Birbal Gudia (23) and Chandradeb Tirkey alias Charo (24), both members of the bomb squad under the Dakshin Chhota Nagpur Zonal Committee (DCNZC), were reportedly engaged in several Maoist activities in Odisha-Jharkhand border area and were involved in at least three Maoist-triggered incidents which had occurred on January 9, 2011.

February 3

A CPI-Maoist cadre, serving as the bodyguard of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, surrendered before Police in Chhatarpur in Ganjam District. The Maoist, identified as Rajendra Kumar Ratia alias Suraj alias Sangram (23), from Kutuniganda village in Adaba Police Station area, was reportedly involved in several major Maoist offensives in Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada Districts in the last two years, including the firing incident at Kerubadi. Sources said Ratia was an active member of the Ghumusara division of the CPI-Maoist. He also imparted training to new cadres about the Maoist ideology and the party's social and political views.

The SF personnel recovered huge quantities of explosives dumped by CPI-Maoist during a combing operation from a forest in Koraput District. According to Police, at least 282 gelatin sticks each weighing 125 grams, 10 bundles of live wires, 28 tiffin boxes used to make landmines, among other Maoist belongings, were found in a forest under Macchkund Police limits. The explosives were dumped in the forest in a plastic drum.

Maoist threat is reportedly affecting poll campaign in Bolangir District. Sources said except the poll candidates, no star campaigner of any political party is venturing into the area. In the Patnagarh subdivision, most part of which is under Maoist threat, party workers are facing a tough time with their political bosses insisting them to stay in touch with people since they are not able to visit the area themselves.

Acting on a tip-off, a team comprising BSF and SOG troopers conducted a combing operation in Tekguda forest in Kalimela area in Malkangiri District and recovered a huge CPI-Maoist explosive dump. The recoveries include 12 electronic detonators, seven gelatine sticks, more than 30 metres of codex wire and electric wires used in landmine blast. Maoist literature, posters, banners and leaflets were also recovered from the spot.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Sitaram Durua, Jagannath Durua and Lukuna Durua, were arrested by the DVF from Malipadar village under Baipariguda Police Station limits in Koraput District. Three SBML guns and huge quantity of material of day-to-day use meant for supply to the Maoists were recovered from their possession. Apart from it 10 bundles of wires used to detonate landmines were also recovered from them.

One Prashant Meher (18), a student of Bindhyabasini Junior College at Paikmal, was arrested for intimidating and trying to extort money from his college principal in the name of Maoists in Paikmal area in Bargarh District.

Four personnel of the BSF including a commandant were killed in an ambush by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Malkangiri District. Two other BSF personnel and two officials of the Irrigation Department were also injured in the attack, which came a day before the first phase polls of the panchayat elections. According to the District Police, the BSF personnel were on their way to Chitrakonda from the BSF camp at Balimela. They were travelling in a SUV to oversee security arrangements for the polls. At 1 p.m., their vehicle overturned in a landmine blast about nine kilometres from Balimela. No one was seriously injured or killed, but the personnel fell victim to indiscriminate firing by Maoists hiding in the nearby dense forest.

Three women cadres of CPI-Maoist - one from Odisha and two from Chhattisgarh - were arrested by Police near Soroda area in Ganjam District. The Odia Maoist, identified as Malati Majhi alias Lata (28) of Bujuli village under Daringbadi Police Station in Kandhamal District, was in charge of personal security of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda. The other two Maoists, identified as Kadame Bulu (19) and Telam Soni alias Ratna (22), are from Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The latter two were originally part of Gangalur Area Division of West Bastar Division under Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee.

Around 20 suspected CPI-Maoist cadres snatched away ballot papers and polling boxes from officials at two booths in Trilochanpur village in Kalahandi District. The Maoists also took away mobile phones from the polling personnel.

Protesting against recent arrest of three cadres, the CPI-Maoist called a two-day bandh on February 16-17 in Ganjam and Kandhamal Districts. Vehicular traffic was disrupted in Maoist-hit areas in Kandhamal. However, it evoked little response in Ganjam.

The MHA has told the State Government to look for all possible legal "solutions" to avoid a situation in which Maoist groups end up seizing Government funds meant for development works, since a large part of these funds are routed through panchayat bodies. According to initial MHA estimates, at least 14 or 15 of 33 sarpanchs who have been elected unopposed in Maoist-affected blocks are known supporters of Maoist groups. The MHA has asked the State Government to look into the election of others as well. The elections are likely to be completed by the end of February.

Addressing to the State Assembly, Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare said the Government had taken strong steps to intensify anti-Naxal operations, with addition of 1,066 posts in the SOG. The number of deaths of SF personnel has come down from 22 in 2010 to 15 in 2011, Bhandare said and added that there had been considerable success with regard to surrender of Maoist leaders in 2011. The number of incidents of Naxal violence too has dropped significantly from 130 in 2010 to 100 in 2011.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead a woman near the weekly market at Sunabeda in Nuapada District. The woman was identified as Rita Das (25), the daughter of Subal Das, who is a Maoist.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian, identified as Salu Prusta (50), in Laxmipur area of Koraput District. The deceased Prusta had gone into the Perijhola forest area along with his wife Salme Praska to brew liquor, when a group of around 20 armed Maoists caught and killed him.

A CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Roshan Munda of Chaibasa area in Jharkhand and involved in many violent incidents was arrested during a joint combing operation by CRPF and SOG from Gariakhaman forest in Kisinda area of Sambalpur District.

Toffan Sahu alias Akash alias Bangara (19), a close associate of the top associate of Sabyasachi Panda, the top leader of the CPI-Maoist surrendered to Ganjam SP in Chhatrapur in Ganjam District.

A critically injured youth, identified as Srikrishna Mahato (26) of Panchpia village under Jareikela Police Station in Jharkhand, succumbed to bullet injuries at the Ispat General Hospital in Rourkela in Sundargarh District during treatment.

Armed CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a stone-crushing unit of a private-builder and set ablaze 15 of its vehicles in Nuapada District. Over 40 cadres from Bargarh-Mahasamund division of the CPI-Maoist came to Baleshbahali village of Nuapada District where building firm DB is working on a canal extension project. The Maoists set ablaze eight dumpers, five tractors, a trawler and a van. Khariar SDPO, S.B Satpathy said.

A suspected Maoists belonging to JLT shot at and injured a truck driver and set ablaze the rice-loaded vehicle in Sorada area under Bisra Police Station limits in Sundargarh District bordering Jharkhand. A group of armed cadres attacked the truck injuring its driver, Mohammad Bablu.

The DVF during a routine combing operation arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist from Chhattisgarh-Odisha bordering Mahupadar village under Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District. The duo was identified as Anda Majhi (27), a resident of Guruguda village and Mangaraj Durua (25), a resident of Mahupadar village. Both the cadres were active members of Darava division of the CPI-Maoist operating in Odisha-Chhattisgarh Border.

The Police arrested a Maoist sympathizer, identified as Ram Khillo, from Haldikund under Boipariguda Police limits in the District. The arrested Maoist sympathizer was providing logistical support to the Maoists and used to make necessary arrangements to hide weapons and other explosive material of the Maoists at villages.

A telephone exchange and a mobile communication tower of BSNL were set ablaze by a group of around six to seven armed CPI-Maoist cadres at Onakadelli under Macchkund Police Station limits in Koraput District.

The SFs unearthed an explosive dump of the CPI-Maoist at Mattamput on Matchkund-Lamataput main road in Koraput District. The dump included 20 kilograms of explosives, detonators and gelatine sticks.

After the Maoist violence [setting ablaze of mobile towers] at Onkadelli on March 11, SFs of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh launched a massive combing operations by deploying two choppers.

Two Italian tourists, identified as Bosusco Paolo, functioning as a tour operator in Puri, and Claudio Colangelo, who were on a trekking tour on the Ganjam-Kandhamal border, were reportedly abducted by the Maoists. There are reports that the Italians may have been abducted on March 14 itself. A driver and cook who were accompanying them and their vehicle were released by the Maoists subsequently.

Two constables, identified as Sasikanth Rout and Sunil Singh, of OSF, who were part of a bomb disposal squad, were killed and two others critically injured in an explosion while defusing a landmine at Alangapada near Lamataput in Koraput District. According to the Police, the incident took place around 9.30am at Alangapada near Ongelguda Ghat Road in the District's Macchkund Police Station area.

The Maoists killed a contractor, identified as Mohd Itar Mahamad in Bargarh District. Mahamad - was entrusted with the construction of a check dam at Patrapali, under Paikmal block in the District. Itar hailed from a neighbouring Badtunda village.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered a blast at an under-construction godown of a panchayat building in Malkangiri District.

Odisha Police registered cases at Daringibadi Police Station in Kandhamal District against Maoist leaders, Sunil and Manoj, along with 24 others on March 20 in connection with the abduction of the two Italian nationals and two Odia youths, Santosh Kumar Moharana and Kartika Parida, on March 14 from a jungle on Ganjam-Kandhamal border.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed) a SI, Krushna Chandra Rath (55), at Khairaput under Mudulipada Police Station limits in Malkangiri District. At around 6.15pm when he went to a roadside kiosk in the nearby market to have tea, the Maoists waiting there, who are suspected to be three or four in number, shot him dead.

More than 50 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted Jhina Hikaka (34), a MLA from Laxmipur belonging to the ruling BJD from a hilly area between Koraput and Laxmipur in Koraput District.

The abduction of two Italians, the murder of a SI in Malkangiri and the abduction of a MLA, is being seen in security circles as the outcome of a tussle between the Andhra and Orissa factions of CPI-Maoist operating in the state.

A group of 10 armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a country liquor manufacturing unit at Jamki village under Tureikela block in Bolangir District. However, no one has been injured in the incident.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist released Claudio Colangelo, one of the two Italians abducted in Kandhamal District on March 14. The hostage crisis, however, remained unresolved as the other Italian national, Bosusco Paolo, and Biju Janata Dal legislator Jhina Hikaka were still in the clutches Maoists.

Speaking to the visiting newspersons while releasing Colangelo top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda admitted that there was lack of unity among the division that he was heading and divisions that were at work in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts in the southern parts of the State.

Two days after Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka was abducted, the CPI-Maoist cadres of Koraput sent a wish-list that included immediate halting of combing operations and release of CMAS activists lodged in jails.

Abducted ruling BJD MLA, Jhina Hikaka, was 'produced' before a kangaroo court organised by the CPI-Maoist at an undisclosed site at Narayanpatna in Koraput District.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by SFs during combing operation inside Tekpadar forest in Malkangiri District. According to Police sources the arrested duo was Tapan Saha (28) and Ghasi Pangi (30).

The State Police organisation did not procure adequate number of modern weapons while issued only a fraction of procured weapons to operational forces, said Comptroller and Auditor General, report of which was tabled in the State Legislative Assembly.

The mediators threatened to pull out of the talks if the Government did not give its response to the Maoists' demands by the evening of March 30.

A group of about 25 CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a jeep and a motorcycle near Kattulapeta village under Bandhugaon block limits in Koraput District.

The Police arrested four Maoists identified as identified as Lala Nag (52), Birendra Nag (20), Lesua Tenwa (26), and Obey Dhanwar (24) near Kaliaposh area under Bisra Police Station in Sundargarh District, during a combing operation on the Jharkhand-Odisha border.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik invited the CPI-Maoist-backed CMAS for talks to secure the release of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. "As the demands by the abductors seem related to the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangha, the State Government is open to dialogue with the Sangh members.

Divya alias Santhi alias Wallasi (26), a CPI-Maoist 'commander' was arrested by BSF troopers from near Chitrakonda in Janbai area of Malkangiri District.

The State Government and Maoist-nominated mediators resumed negotiations after the CPI-Maoist released an audio-tape saying hostage Italian national Paolo Bosusco would not be released till their demands are met. Earlier in the day, the new audio-tape released by Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the CPI-Maoist Odisha State Organising Committee, demanded that the 36 people whose names have been given to the Government should be released forthwith. There was uproar in the State Legislative Assembly over the safety of abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka as MLA Amar Satpathy alleged that he was ill.

The Maoist-affected tribal Districts of Koraput and Rayagada have imposed a ban on the entry of foreign nationals into the Districts.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter during a joint operation by Central Reserve Police Force, Special Operations Group, Keonjhar and Angul Police near Mundatopa village within Kanjipani Police limits in Keonjhar District. Police have recovered three guns, three kitbags, tiffin box, posters and leaflets from his possession.

An 'area commander' of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Sanyasi Pujari alias Pravin, surrendered before the Police in Malkangiri District.

The Maoists fixed April 5 as the deadline for the Naveen Patnaik Government to fulfil their demands to secure the release of ruling Biju Janata Dal legislator Jhina Hikaka who was abducted on March 24.

The AOBSZC 'secretary' Chandra Mauli issued an audio tape declaring April 5 as deadline for release of the CMAS leaders and members incarcerated in jails under fabricated charges in lieu of Hikaka's safe release.

The negotiation for the release of Italian tour operator Bosusco Paolo was scheduled to continue on April 4 (today). Paolo has been in the hands of a different group of Maoists since March 14.

A top CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Pandu Panki Ray (22), was arrested from Sundergarh District. The Police recovered a landmine weighing about 15 kilograms along with wires from the site.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said his Government had decided to facilitate the release of as many as 27 persons to secure the freedom of BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka and Italian tour operator Paolo Bosusco from the CPI-Maoist. Making a statement in the State Legislative Assembly, Patnaik said that in the case of Hikaka, the Government had decided to facilitate the release of 15 members of the CMAS and also eight Maoists from Koraput and Malkangiri jails. Four other Maoists are to be released in lieu of Paolo Bosusco. While the Maoist group headed by Sabyasachi Panda, the CPI-Maoist OSOC secretary, abducted Italian tour operator Paolo Bosusco along with Claudio Colangelo on March 14, another faction of the Maoists abducted Jhina Hikaka on March 24. As reported earlier, Colangelo was released on March 25.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announced the names of 27 persons whose release the Government will facilitate through legal steps to ensure the release of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka and Italian tour operator Bosusco Paolo from the hands of the CPI-Maoist. The four persons who would be released for securing Paolo's freedom include Subhashree Das alias Mili Panda, wife of Sabyasachi Panda, 'secretary' of the Odisha State Organising Committee of CPI-Maoist.

The Maoists have extended the deadline for the Odisha Government to meet their demands till April 7 for the release of BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. Earlier, the deadline was April 5.

Tipila Hesa (17), a woman Maoist cadre, surrendered before the Police in Jajpur District.

Sabyasachi Panda, the 'secretary' of OSOC of the CPI-Maoist rejected the Odisha Government's swap offer for the release of Italian national Paolo Bosusco. The other group of Maoists who had taken the BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka hostage also did not respond to the Government's offer to facilitate release of 23 persons to secure his release.

Sabyasachi Panda, 'secretary' of the OSOC of CPI-Maoist, asked the State Government to clarify the names of his followers to be released in exchange for abducted Italian tour operator Paolo Basusco. The fresh audio tape by Panda followed a day after the Government claimed to have reached a pact over Basusco, agreeing to free five of the six whose release had been sought by the Maoists.

CM Naveen Patnaik had announced the release of 15 activists of CMAS and eight Maoists (including two hardcore Andhra Maoist) in exchange for BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka, the AOBSZC, which holds Hikaka hostage, has demanded the release of five more Maoists and their sympathisers, including Chenda Bhushanam alias Ghasi.

AOBSZC spokesperson Jagabandhu sent a letter to the Government demanding that all Maoists in the list in exchange for the MLA's freedom should be released in Balipeta village of Koraput District by April 10. "There should not be any police or intelligence personnel present," the letter says.

The AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, which has kept BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka hostage, wrote a letter to his wife to reach Balipeta village in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District on April 10 along with 30 prisoners to pave the way for his release.

The OPA has threatened to go on strike if any hardcore Maoists are released in a swap deal.

More than 1,000 tribals of Narayanpatna block organised a rally under the banner of CMAS demanding that all CMAS activists lodged in Koraput jail be released forthwith.

A Maoist, identified as Bhagirathi alias Nagesh, was arrested by Police in Adaba Police Station area under Rayagada District during a combing operation, when a passenger vehicle was being searched.

Subhashree Panda, wife of CPI-Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda who is holding an Italian tourist as hostage, got acquitted by a Fast Track Court in Rayagada District in the case of 2003 Kutinguda encounter between police and Maoists in Gudari block of Rayagada District.

CM Naveen Patnaik appealed to the abductors to release Italian citizen Bosusco Paolo and legislator Jhina Hikaka unharmed and without delay. Patnaik said certain legal procedures had to be followed to facilitate the release of 27 prisoners demanded by the Maoists.

A group of family members of Maoist-backed CMAS activists who are in jail gathered at Balipeta in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District to sit on indefinite dharna demanding the release of the latter. The agitators, mostly women, said they came to the place with the hope that their jailed relatives would get released at the spot.

The OSOC of the CPI-Maoist has finally released Italian hostage Paolo Bosusco who was in their captivity since March 14. The Maoists released Paolo in Mohona village in Gajapati District.

The fate of BJD legislator Jhina Hikaka who has been in the captivity of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist since March 24 remains uncertain as the Maoists refused to release him unless their demands were met.

The CPI-Maoist in Odisha set April 18 as the date for the State Government to meet their demands for the release of abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. Hikaka was abducted from Koraput on March 24. The CPI-Maoist has demanded the release of 29 prisoners.

Paolo Bosusco, who was held hostage by OSOC of the CPI-Maoist, is said to have revealed vital information about Sabyasachi Panda, the secretary of OSOC. Paolo estimated Panda has just about 20 cadres, including 10 women, each armed with a gun.

Nikhil, spokesman of Bansadhara Division Committee of CPI-Maoist in his letters to the media said, "They [Telugu cadres] torture Oriya cadres. They give poor food, torn uniforms and damaged shoes to Oriya cadres." bringing factionalism among Maoists to the fore.

The Centre has accepted Odisha's demand to include four more CPI-Maoist-affected Districts under the SRE scheme, official sources said. The State Government had demanded inclusion of Nuapada, Bolangir, Bargarh and Kalahandi Districts under SRE scheme.

A group of about 20 CPI-Maoist cadres held a meeting at Kanimohuli village in Suliapada tehsil in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha, located at the West Bengal-Jharkhand border, a few days back to reorganise themselves.

The Odisha Government agreed to withdraw cases against as many as 13 persons, including a few CPI-Maoist cadres, to secure the release of abducted legislator Jhina Hikaka.

Major-General (retd.) Gagandeep Bakshi, a retired Army officer approached the Supreme Court to restrain the Odisha Government from meeting the Maoists' demand of releasing the Naxals as they had been captured by SFs while putting their lives at stake.

Two CISF troopers were injured when suspected CPI-Maoist cadres opened fire at a CISF vehicle at the Panchpatmali bauxite mining hills in Damanjodi in Koraput District.

The 13 names the State Government announced against whom cases would be withdrawn in exchange of the MLA's release didn't have the names of Linga and Gananath Patra, adviser of CMAS who is now in jail.

The Maoists began their praja court to decide whether or not to release abducted BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka. Sources said the court was held at a place about 2 kilometres from Balipeta in Narayanpatna area in the District. The Maoists may delay Hikaka's release by a few days.

The ADJ (Fast track) Dilip Kumar Mishra of Jeypore granted bail to Rabi Tadangi arrested for his involvement in a 2009 loot case in Narayanpatna Police Station area, taking the total number of CMAS activists released (since April 17, 2012) on bail to five.

The Gajapati District and session's court rejected the fresh bail petition filed by Maoist leader Arati Majhi. Arati was one of the Maoists whose release was demanded in exchange of abducted (now released) Italian Paolo Bosusco. Arati was arrested on February 10, 2010.

The SC wanted to know "what was happening" in the Odisha Maoist hostage crisis. The Centre told the SC it had "no idea", while the Odisha Government, the primary respondent in a public interest petition seeking to prevent it from succumbing to the "blackmail tactics" of Maoists, was not represented.

The Maoists had blocked several roads connecting Narayanpatna block with the outside world. The roads had not been cleared till evening. The Narayanpatna-Laxmipur road was blocked at several places by the Maoists by felling trees and digging up the road.

The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a site where works were being undertaken under PMGSY near Pendajam under Semiliguda Police Station limits in Koraput District. According to sources, the Maoists set ablaze and damaged two road rollers, one tipper, one excavator and a motorcycle.

The AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist who have been holding Odisha legislator Jhina Hikaka hostage since March 24, said they would organise a 'people's court' on April 25 to take a final decision on his release.

The Gajapati District and Session Court in Paralakhemundi granted bail to eight CPI-Maoist cadres, including Arati Majhi (22), in the two cases related to burning of OSRTC bus and damaging a mobile communication tower at Raipanka in Gajapati District in 2009.

The CPI-Maoist cadres released BJD MLA Jhina Hikaka in the forests of Narayanpatna in Koraput District. Hikaka was abducted by the Maoists on March 24 near Toyapet in Koraput District, while he was returning home to Laxmipur from Semiliguda.

The State Police raided a camp belonging to Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the OSOC of CPI-Maoist, in Sorada area in Ganjam District. An exchange of fire took place between the Police and Maoists. The Police seized the generator and some other items after the encounter.

Nirmala alias Nande Sodi (30), 'deputy Commander' of Paplur and Kalimela dalam, surrendered before the DIG (South-Western Range), Sunabeda, Soumendra Priyadarshi at Malkangiri District.

Maoists killed two villagers, identified as Gobardhan Pande (20) and Kailash Agrawal (31), at Luhasingha village near Patnagarh in Bolangir. Police said Kailash was the owner of a Mahua flower godown where Gobardhan was working as a night watchman.

A group of armed Maoists abducted and killed Balaram Naik (35), a marginal farmer, at Tentuligumma under Boipariguda block (administrative division) in Koraput District, suspecting him to be a Police informer.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a contractor in Malkangiri Village-55 (MV-55) area within Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri District. Villagers found the dead body of Subalo Sil (48), on the canal embankment near Saplur Chowk, a few metres from MV-55. Sil, who was undertaking repair work of canal embankments and village roads, belonged to nearby MV 55 village was earlier warned by the Maoists through posters pasted on the canal embankment asking him not to undertake repair works without their permission.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sini Sai (50), who happens to be a former Sarpanch (head of Gram Panchayat, village level local self-Government institution) of Gobaraghati Gram Panchayat under Kalinga Nagar Police Station in Jajpur District, allegedly involved in the killing of security men and many crimes, was arrested from the dense forest bordering Jajpur and Keonjhar areas. Sini was involved in the attack on Daitari Police Station, abduction of a Police officer Umesh Marandi and other crimes and violence in Jajpur and Keonjhar Districts.

Prasant Majhi alias Susanta (22), the personal bodyguard of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil, since 2007, surrendered before the local Police in Gajapati District. Susanta, a school dropout from Guluba village in the District, joined the Maoists in 2005, in his teens. Initially, he worked as a courier and later went on to become one of the most trusted members of the outfit, eventually getting the job of Panda's bodyguard. Susanta underwent training in at least six camps in Gajapati and Kandhamal District in jungle warfare and handling of weapons like INSAS rifle, AK-47, sten gun and 9mm pistol.

Police took custody of five German tourists from Khaprakhol block in Bolangir District. Officials warned them to never to venture into the Maoist-affected area again. "The new guidelines don't allow foreigners to visit tourist spots without prior permission. The entry of five Germans amounts to flouting of rules," District Tourist Officer Goutam Nag said.

A 'deputy commander' of central regional committee of AOBSZC, Section 1 of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Ramesh alias Raiman Pangi (28), surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District. Ramesh was wanted in several cases, including attack on Police Stations and explosions.

CPI-Maoist cadres abducted Krupa Ram Majhi, an ASI of Police, and shot him dead in Nuapada District. Majhi, posted in Dharmabandha Police outpost, was escorting a water tanker to a CRPF camp at Goudha near Sunabeda sanctuary when the incident took place. The Maoists, however, did not harm Constable Debnarayan Sahoo who was accompanying Majhi. Police suspect that the incident was the handiwork of the Maoists' Mainpur division, headed by one Sujatha, which operates in Nuapada and bordering Districts of Chhattisgarh.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested a man from Link express along with a consignment of 700 detonators. The man was arrested in Katabhanji, while one of his accomplices ran away in the ruckus that was created during the regular search operation. It is being believed that the detonators were meant for the CPI-Maoist.

The Centre blamed the Odisha Government for an "alarming" rise in the activities of Maoists and accused the Naveen Patnaik Government of failing to take any counter measure."It is pertinent to mention that Odisha is the only state of India where activities of the CPI-Maoist are spreading to new areas at an alarming rate without requisite counter-measures by the state government," the Home Ministry said in a message sent to Director General of Police and Principal Secretary (Home) of Odisha Government.

A contractor, Jami Rajendra Prasad (40), from Narayanpatna block in Koraput District was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres at Gechela under Laxmipur Police Station on Narayanpatna-Laxmipur road. The Maoists also left some posters at the spot owning up to the murder. Maoists suspected him to be a Police informer.

A hardcore Maoist, Narendra Bridika (32), was arrested in Muniguda Police Station area in Rayagada District during a raid by a joint team of Police and CRPF on a meeting spot of Maoists at Belundi village. Two country-made SBML guns and some posters opposing anti-Maoist operations were seized. Bridika is an active member of Bansadhara division of the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI-Maoist. He used to be personal bodyguard of D. Keshav Rao alias Azad, a Maoist leader who has surrendered. According to Police sources, at present he was working as an associate of Maoist 'commander' Nikhil.

Police claimed to have arrested a suspected woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Rebati Nayak, from a forest in Naktideula area in Sambalpur District. Police sources said Rebati is an active cadre of Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh Zonal committee of CPI-Maoist.

The Koraput-Srikakulam divisional committee of the CPI-Maoist gave a bandh (shut down strike) call in Koraput District on May 16. The Maoist division functions under the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC). Through a letter written in Telugu, Daya alias Chemmala Krishnamurthi, 'secretary' of Koraput-Srikakulam divisional committee, informed newsmen that the bandh call is given to protest against NCTC and anti-Maoist operations like Operation Green Hunt. He also demanded withdrawal of BSF personnel from Narayanpatna area of Koraput District.

Responding to media queries, chief minister Naveen Patnaik sought to underplay the Centre's observation on spread of Maoist activity in the State. "The allegations are not correct. We will give a reply to the Union government on Monday [May 14]," he said.

The State Government refuted the Centre's charge that it had failed to check the growth of CPI-Maoist activities in the State saying that it had been successful in bringing improvement in the situation.

A trooper of the DVF, Ajay Kumar Sahoo, was killed by Maoists during a joint combing operation by the CRPF, SOG and DVF at Birikala reserve forest under Nayakote Police Station in Keonjhar District. The area is on the Keonjhar-Angul border, sources said.

The Bharat bandh call given by the CPI-Maoist had its impact in some pockets of south Odisha.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the extremists to give up arms and join the mainstream. In a carefully worded statement aimed at reconciliation with the LWEs, Naveen did not use the word 'Maoist', referring to the ultras as 'brothers and sisters' instead. "Today when bandh (was being observed) in India, including some parts of Odisha, I appeal my young brothers and sisters to return to the mainstream," Naveen told mediapersons, a day after state home secretary U N Behera warned the LWEs that "all attempts to disrupt public order and unlawful activities have to be firmly dealt with".

Three powerful tiffin bombs, each weighing six kilograms, buried on the road between Bharuamunda and Lodra in Nuapada District by Maoists were detected.

The Gajapati District and Sessions Court in Paralakhemundi acquitted woman Maoist Arati Majhi (22) in the case related to burning of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) buses at Raipanka in Gajapati District on December 28, 2009. Five others identified as Babula Behera Dalai, Lazor Majhi, Shyam Majhi, Manas Majhi, and Jacob Majhi were also acquitted in the same case.

Three motorcycle-borne Maoists of the AOBSZC shot a contractor dead at Khairaput in the Mudulipada Police Station limits of Malkangiri District. The deceased was identified as Budra Dhangada Majhi (38). Maoists suspected him to be a Police informer.

Sabyasachi Panda, the secretary of the OSOC of the CPI-Maoist, threatened of "revolutionary violence" if the State Government continues to attack the Maoists. In a fresh audio tape circulated to media houses, Panda alleged the State Government has not fulfilled its promises to secure the release of Italian nationals Claudio Colangelo (on March 25) and Bosusco Paolo (on April 12), who he had abducted from Kandhamal-Ganjam region on March 14.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reiterated his appeal to the Left wing extremists to shun the path of violence and return to the social mainstream. Patnaik said the misguided youths who had taken the path of violence should surrender and take benefit of the new rehabilitation policy. Patnaik's appeal came a day after Sabyasachi Panda, secretary of the OSOC of the CPI-Maoist warned of revolutionary violence.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Mita Paltasingh alias Sunita, was arrested during a joint combing operation by personnel of the CRPF and SOG from Kutiguda village under Kotagarh Police Station in Kandhamal District. Some Maoist literature was seized from her possession.

A group of about 25 armed Maoists killed Deba Bagaranga (40), the husband of sitting sarpanch of Hanumanthpur Panchayat, at Hanumanthpur village in Chandrapur block of Rayagada District. Deba was also a former panchayat samiti member of the area. Maoists left the spot leaving behind a hand-written poster alleging that Deba was a Police informer. The killing was carried out by Bansadhara Division of CPI-Maoist headed by Nikhil alias Niranjan Rout.

The CPI-Maoist called for a bandh in Andhra-Odisha border on May 30 protesting implementation of globalization policies of Central and State Governments.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres, including two women of the Kalinga Nagar division of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered in Keonjhar District. The arrestees have been identified as Sambari Munda (18) of Rebana village under Daitari Police limits, Rambati Hembram (20) of Asanbahali village under Ghasipura Police limits, Aiban Tiu (20) of Panga village under Telkoi Police limits and Dharani (22) of Tungurubahali village under Telkoi Police limits. Sambari surrendered with a gun and 18 rounds of bullets in the presence of Deputy Inspector General of Police (western range) Y K Jethwa and Superintendent of Police (Keonjhar) Ashish Kumar Singh.

A day ahead of the scheduled visit of the Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh to Malkangiri District, three SOG personnel were injured in a landmine blast by CPI-Maoist cadres at Kanaguda under Kalimela Police Station in the District. An exchange of fire also occurred at the spot between the Security Forces and Maoists after the landmine blast.

Ahead of their proposed 24-hour bandh on May 30, Maoist supporters held a meeting at Gumphakonda in Kalimela Police Station limits in the District. Tribal people armed with their traditional weapons attended the meeting.

A team of National Investigating Agency (NIA) arrested Asem Ibotombi Singh alias Angou, external affairs wing 'secretary' of Manipur-based People's Liberation Army (PLA), from Gopalpur in Ganjam District. The NIA suspects that Angou was camping there to resurrect PLA's ties with Maoists in Odisha's tribal areas after the arrest of the outfit's important leaders. An NIA official said, "Angou had replaced N Dilip Singh alias Wangba, in the PLA hierarchy after his arrest from Delhi last year. We suspect in his absence, Angou was trying to rebuild the broken partnership between PLA and Maoists." Angou was produced before Berhampur court and was taken on five-day remand by the NIA, Police sources said.

Maoist cadres, suspected to be of Bargarh-Bolangir and Mahasamund division of the outfit, set ablaze two collection centres (Paharighars) of 'kendu' leaf in Khariar kendu leaf division in Nuapada District. They demanded upward revision of wages to kendu leaf pluckers.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze three tractors being used in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road work from Lathore to Dholmandal at Halanbhata village in Tureikela block in Bolangir District in the night. The Maoists left behind posters where they claimed to be members of Bolangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund divisional committee and directed the contractors to stop works on various roads and bridges.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kesab Bhimadika, wanted for murder and other crime was arrested during an operation on the outskirts of Narayanpatna in Koraput District.

Police arrested PLFI's Odisha chapter head, Dhananjaya Bhuyan, from Kuanrmunda in Sundergarh District.

Police arrested Arjun Thakur (50) and two of his associates Guddu alias Jayaram Prasad and Jaggu alias Bijay in Roulkela District. The trio on May 20 demanded Rs 2 crores from Rajalaxmi Construction which is engaged in work on Jhirpani Bridge in the name of PLFI.

A person, identified as Nabaghan Wadeka is suspected to have been abducted by CPI-Maoist cadres in Bissamkatak block of Rayagada District. According to sources, Wadeka is suspected to have faced wrath of Maoists as he was involved in the construction of a school building in the area, which was sponsored by the Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL). Maoists are also opposing the mining and refinery projects of VAL.

Maoists also targeted a kendu leaf godown in Chandupalla village near Khariar under Nuapada District in the night.

Maoists killed a 50 year-old tribal person at a remote village in Koraput District, suspecting him to be a Police informer. The dead body of the person was found today with his throat slit and a letter left near it saying that he was killed after being identified to be a Police informer, said Y J Rao, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Laxmipur. However, Rao rejected the Maoist allegation that the person was a Police informer. The victim, identified as a resident of Manasdapadar village, was also accused of extorting money from people by posing to be a Maoist agent.

Maoists set ablaze nearly a dozen of kendu leaf godowns in 12 villages situated over 20-km-long stretch in Khaparakhol block in Bolangir District. The villages included Khairpani, Rengali, Chaulbanji, and Jamunabadi.

June 11

A tribal labourer, identified as Subra Huika (30) of Odia Pentha village in Narayanpatna block, was killed in cold blood by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Koraput District in the night. Huika's body was found on Narayanpatna-Laxmipur road at distance of two km from Narayanpatna. The assailants had slit open the throat of the victim with some sharp weapon. A letter left on the spot by Koraput-Srikakulam Division of CPI-Maoist, signed by Daya, alleged that Huika was a Police informer.

Continuing their operations in Balangir District for the second and third consecutive day, the Maoists set afire five more kendu leaf godowns - three in June 10 and two in June 11 - in Khaprakhol area. Balangir District earns INR 700 million revenue by selling Kendu leaves every year. After the third day of arson, the State Government sustained a loss of INR 2.56 million as 17 godowns had already been burnt. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Rohit Singh said in the latest arson, the Police camp was near the godowns. He said the two villages, Beherapani and Turla, where Maoists burnt down the godowns on June 11 are not very remote.

June 12

CMAS advisor Gananath Patra was released from Choudwar circle jail after his release orders reached the jail authorities from a court in Koraput District. The 73-year-old leader is suffering from acute diabetes with vision and cardiac ailments. Facing as many as six criminal cases, the CMAS leader had been in custody for past 30 months. Although, he was acquitted in four of the cases and had got bail in the remaining two cases, he was refusing to come out of the jail on bail. Speaking to The Hindu, he said he had changed his idea of leaving the jail following advice of his friends.

June 13

Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Arjun Meleka and Musuri Wateka, allegedly involved in about eight cases, were arrested by SF personnel during a special operation, from Kanchanpadu village under Narayanpatna area in Koraput District. The arrested duo, active in the area for quite a long time, was involved in about eight criminal cases including murder, landmine explosion, extortion and attack on attach on SFs in the area, Koraput Superintendent of Police Awinash Kumar said.

June 14

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, who had been planning a big operation, were arrested early in the morning from Lungra Ghati in the K. Balang Police Station limits on Sundargarh-Jharkhand border. The duo, Sudhir Bhuiyan (24) alias Bishram, and Habil Horo (23), both from West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, were arrested by a joint team of CRPF and local Police. They also recovered a double barrel gun and some live ammunition from the Maoists, who were involved in a number of cases, including killing of Police Sub-Inspector Ajit Bardhan in 2009.

June 15

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by the SOG troopers in Koraput District after an encounter at a place on a forested road near Chinakhemu within Bandhugaon Police limits. The arrested Maoists are identified as Puala Sargu, Puala Lachayya, Puala Ashu and Huika Sulaya. The SOG troopers also seized three guns, one soap case bomb, a gun barrel and huge quantities of Maoists literature and belongings from them.

Members of the Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) of Narayanpatna block took over some 25 to 30 acres of land in possession of non-tribal people near Kumbhariput in adjoining Bandhugaon block. This is seen as a move of the Narayanpatna-based CMAS led by Nachika Linga to extend activities of their outfit outside Narayanpatna.

The SFs claimed to have killed a suspected woman CPI-Maoist cadre and busted a Maoist training camp in Saranda forest in Sundargarh District. SFs rushed to Langalakanta village in the deep forests of Saranda under K Balang Police limits after getting a tip-off that over 30 Maoists, which included top cadre Anmol, had gathered nearby. However, by the time they reached the spot, the Maoists had retreated into the forests. The SFs followed their trail, but met with heavy fire from the Maoists at Mundatola. The SFs said they saw a woman cadre fall to the bullets. But, they could not retrieve the body as her comrades took it away, leaving bloodstains at the spot. During the operation, the SFs recovered a sten gun and a 303 rifle from the camp. "They have also found a few drums full of diesel, raw food material and prepared food, uniform, large amounts of medicine, posters, leaflets and magazines and Maoist literature from the camp," said Sub-Divisional Police Officer S.S. Sethy.

Two Maoists identified as Janaki Saya alias Tulasi (35) and her younger brother Admond Saya alias Sadhu (30) of Totasahi village under Harichandanpur Police limits, surrendered before the District Police in Keonjhar District. Janaki was the commander of the women's military wing of the local Kalinga Nagar division, while Admond was actively working for the expansion of the Maoist activities in the region. Janaki was accused of several crimes, including the ransacking and burning of liquor shops, and firing at a Police patrol in the District.

SOG personnel engaged in anti-Naxal operation in Koraput District found Maoist dump in the District. According to Police, one telescope, one digital camera, one country-made gun, three mobile phone sets, Maoist literature, letters, medicines, electric wires and switches, power sockets, two bags, biscuits, bidis, and batteries were dumped in a forested road near Kumbikhari village under Boipariguda Police Station area.

A landmine planted by the Maoists was defused by Security Force personnel in Nabarangpur District. Following a tip off, Police rushed to the spot near Jodenga village in Raighar block and defused it.

A primary school teacher was arrested in Ganjam District for his alleged links with Maoist leaders, including Sabyasachi Panda. The arrestee was identified as Jhikania Sabara of Jharakona village under Badagada Police Station area in the District. Police have seized a Maoist poster, two photo identity cards of his with different father's names, a VHF set, charger, mobile set, several other papers and a new motorcycle from him. Sabara was working as a teacher in Barada, near his village, since the past seven years, the Police said. He was working as an over-ground worker and transporter for the Maoists in Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal Districts and was a courier to top Maoist leader Sabyasachi, the Police said. Sabara was working for Maoists, including supplying grocery items and medicines to them, for the past three years, the Police added.

The CPI-Maoist cadres damaged a telephone tower by blasting it under Khaparakhol block in Bolangir District, during their 24-hour bandh. The Chhattisgarh-Odisha State Committee of the CPI-Maoist on June 25 called a 24-hour bandh call demanding halt to Operation Green Hunt. The bandh affected normal life in Bolangir, Bargarh, Nuapada and other western Odisha Districts.

The Maoists also set ablaze Kendu leaf godown in Khaparakhol block during the bandh.

A former ward member, Pidika Sarbo (55), was killed by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres in Gumudaguoda village under Bandhugaon Police limits in Koraput District. A Maoist letter left at the spot reads that Pidika was punished as he was cheating people in the area by working as a Police informer and being involved in liquor trade.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two tendu leaf godowns in Kantabanji forest range in Bolangir District. Earlier, they had burnt down 20 godowns within Khaparakhol range in the month of June causing the state exchequer a loss of INR 2.8 million.

Allegedly pressurised by the CPI-Maoist, elected panchayat body members of Kalimela block in Malkangiri District stated that they would resign if some long-standing demands of their area were not fulfilled. According to sources Maoists had called up a meeting inside Gomphagunda forest which was attended by a large number of elected members of panchayat bodies of Kalimela block. Around 1,000 Maoist sympathisers were said to be present at the meeting. One Zilla Parishad (ZP) member, 18 sarpanches and 15 panchayat samiti members were present at this meeting. According to a sarpanch around seven Maoist cadres were present there. But they were in plain dresses without any arms. The Maoists ordered the elected panchayat body members to resign if administration and Government did not take steps to fulfil a promise related to extension of an irrigation canal. The elected panchayat body members eventually provided a statement to the local media claiming that they would resign if the demand related to the canal did not show any positive sign within 15 days.

The day-long bandh called by Maoists in the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) area to protest against the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh failed to evoke any response.

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed Gangadhar Chalan, former deputy Sarpanch of Madulipada panchayat in Malkangiri District in the night, suspecting him to be a Police Informer. His bullet ridden body was found in a forest near Atalaguda under Mudulipada Police Station limits.

Two cadres of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Setu Kendruka of Dandabadi village and Naga Kendruka of Chintaguda village, were arrested by SOG personnel in Maoist-affected Narayanpatna block of Koraput District. According to Police, the arrested Maoists have more than eight major cases related to murder, attempted murder and other incidents of Maoist violence pending against them. They were allegedly involved in the attack on Narayanpatna Police Station in November 2009.

Asking top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil to surrender, Odisha's new DGP Prakash Mishra said he would try to segregate the local cadre from the Maoists hailing from neighbouring Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Earlier in the day, Mishra took over as DGP of the State.

A local Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and businessman, Hardeep Singh, was shot dead by cadres of the PLFI, a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist in Rajgangpur area of Sundargarh District. His bullet-riddled body was found near Bilegarh. PLFI left a poster claiming responsibility of the killing.

Police shot dead a cadre of the PLFI in Sundargarh District. Acting on a tip-off, a special Police squad raided the PLFI hideout at Udugaon village. While one PLFI cadre was killed, four others of the group, including their leader, Dilip Singh, were injured. Another cadre was detained for interrogation. Police recovered several weapons, including an AK-47, one self-loading rifle and pistol and about 126 bullets.

The CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly abducted two persons in Bandhugaon block in Koraput District, for being Police informers, following the arrest of one of their sympathizers. The arrested Maoist sympathizer is Kadraka Puala of Elangawalsa village and the two abducted fellow villagers are Kadraka Lachana and Kadraka Mali. The Maoists had abducted five villagers but freed three of them sometime later. However, no Police complaint was lodged by the family of the abducted duo and Police are gathering intelligence inputs about it.

The CPI-Maoist set ablaze five vehicles, including a JCB proclainer and a tractor, at Nakamamudi village under Chitrakonda Police Station limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The vehicles belonging to a Pune-based construction company were being used in laying a road from Balimela junction to Malkangiri. Malkangiri division committee of the CPI-Maoist led by Gajarla Ravi alleged that the road-widening works were being taken up as part of Operation Green Hunt to target them. The Maoists opposing road works in interiors are now targeting major road works from Balimela to Malkangiri, which could provide road link to 40 villages, Police said.

The Maoists killed the son of a ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader at Sana Gunjibhata in Khaparakhol Block of Bolangir District. The Police said about 30 armed Maoists went to the house of BJD leader Ganeshram Bhoi, forced his son Sashiram (42) to accompany them, tied him to a pole and assaulted him before killing him with a bayonet, as his family, including his father, watched helplessly. Sashiram had worked as a contractor in neighbouring Nuapada District.

Three cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by Security Force personnel during a joint combing operation in Barigaon under Laxmipur Police limits in Koraput District. They were identified as Dasaratha, Kamburu and Chintamani, in the age group of 30 to 40 years. Dasarath has about 13 criminal cases were pending against him. Though no specific charges were pending against Kamburu and Chintamani, both were close associates of Dasaratha.

Alleging harassment from Andhra Pradesh (AP) leaders and cadres, a CPI-Maoist 'area commander', identified as Deba Padiami (30), surrendered before Malkangiri District. Padiami served as 'area commander' of Kalimela-Motu dalam (squad) and has several cases pending against him.

Subhasree Das, wife of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, said that her husband could surrender if the State Government withdraws cases against him.

Around 40 Maoists set ablaze a vehicle engaged in road construction and assaulted the site supervisor and driver at Badacheka village within Rayagada Police limits in Rayagada District.

Strongly protesting the Odisha Government's plan of launching night operation against Maoists, the CPI-Maoist alleged that the State has failed to keep its promises made during the abduction of Laxmipur Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jhina Hikaka.

Rajgangpur Police laimed that the two persons arrested in the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Hardeep Singh murder case are active cadres of the Jharkhand-based PLFI. The arrested PLFI cadres have been identified as Bhibisan Barua (25) and Baldeb Kumar Narang (21).

During a joint operation, personnel of SOG and CRPF seized a CPI-Maoist dump of 20 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from a remote location near Ganjam-Kandhamal border. Four barrels were also seized from the area.

A woman Maoist cadre of OSOC of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Sabita Mallick alias Peti (22), known as Sukanti in the rebel camp, surrendered before SP Pandit in Ganjam District. Sukanti hailed from Mankadakhari village under Sorada Police Station limits in the District.

The SFs unearthed a CPI-Maoist arms and explosives dump during a raid on a Maoist hideout in the forested area in Rayagada District of Odisha. The dump was located, following information given by 'deputy commander' of CPI-Maoist, Ramesh Tama alias Dasarath, who was arrested along with two other Maoists in Koraput District on July 11.

A group of around 25 to 30 Maoists swooped down on the construction site near MPV-13 (Malkangiri Pottery Village) under Kalimela Police Station and set ablaze a road construction project vehicle in Malkangiri District. No assault or casualty was reported in the incident.

Top CPI-Maoist leader and main accused in VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati's murder, Sabyasachi Panda, said he won't surrender as is being speculated.

Meena Palka, a Maoist and Laxmi (19) and Saraswati Palka (17), his two daughters, who had surrendered in Rayagada District on August 10, 2011, have alleged that the State Government has failed to rehabilitate them as per the package promised for surrendered Maoists.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by the SF personnel in Koraput District of Odisha. Police said while BSF troopers arrested two Maoists identified as Allaya Musika and Kumbha Mandangi, SOG personnel arrested another Maoist identified as Mangra Sirika. A country-made gun was seized from Mangra.

The Maoists have stepped up their poster campaign ahead of the observance of martyrs' week from July 28 to August 3. Posters were found at Lamataput, Onakadelli, Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon, Laxmipur and Pottangi areas in Koraput District. Sources from Malkangiri said this time the Maoists have constructed nine martyrs' pillars at Tentulipadar and Kalimela areas and have conducted a massive poster campaign.

The CPI-Maoist has launched a poster campaign in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts to seek support for the Martyrs' Week from July 28 to August 3. "We appeal to everyone to observe Martyrs' Week by paying homage to the deceased Maoist leaders at your respective villages," read a Maoist poster pasted at Kalimela in Malkangiri.

A SPO was killed and another injured in a CPI-Maoist attack in Malkangiri District. Police said a group of Maoists fired at the two SPOs while they were on patrolling duty at a local market at Padia under Kalimela Police Station on the second of the Martyrs' Week [July 28-August 3] being observed by the Maoists.

Police arrested 11 cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, operating both in Jharkhand and Odisha, from Rourkela in Sundergarh District.

On the second day of Martyrs' Week, movement of vehicles was disrupted in different parts of southern and western Odisha. Long and short-distance passenger buses did not run for security reasons. The worst affected District were Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Kandhamal.

In Koraput District, Maoists assembled at the 'martyrs' pillar' erected at Borgi in Narayanpatna Police Station area to pay homage to their deceased leaders. According to sources, a large number of villagers also attended the meeting which continued for a couple of hours. Revolutionary songs were sung by Maoist cadres and the Maoist leaders urged villagers to join the Maoist movement to get their legitimate rights over land, forest and water.

In a CPI-Maoist poster found pasted in Hanumanthpur area of Rayagada District, one Pradeep, who has got the backing of Odia Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, claiming to be the secretary of Bansadhara division of the CPI-Maoist has alleged that Nikhil, who earlier claimed to be leader of Bansadhara Division, was involved in extortion, exploitation of women and activities contrary to principles of Maoist organisation. As per the posters fate of Nikhil would be decided in a praja court. Bansadhara division of the CPI-Maoist is active in Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Ganjam Districts of south Odisha. Earlier, on July 28, Nikhil had come up with a statement in which he had openly criticised Odia Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda and Pradeep. In his statement sent through audio tape, Nikhil had claimed that while he was away on some organisational work, Sabyasachi had whimsically declared Pradeep as the secretary of Bansadhara Division.

Hundreds of posters prepared by the Union Home Ministry have been put up in Rayagada District of Odisha to wean youths away from the CPI-Maoist. The posters were spotted in villages of Muniguda block and focus on the sufferings of those involved with the Maoists. "Maoists target rural youths because they can be easily lured into the extremist movement. So to make the rural youths aware about the evils of the Maoist organization, the posters have been put up," said a senior Police officer posted in Rayagada District.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, involved in stopping SFs from launching a search for abducted Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka in March was arrested in Koraput District. Bhima Huija of Maudivalasa village within Bandhugaon Police limits was involved in road blockades in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks during that time.

According to a report, Maoists are setting up parallel governments, janata sarkars, in the interior pockets of AOB, buoyed by the success of a similar exercise in the Dandakaranya region of Chhattisgarh. The Gumma area committee in Malkangiri District set up a janata sarkar in the interior villages of AOB when the Maoists distributed rice to 800 tribal families.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition, purportedly stocked by the CPI-Maoist, were seized during a special operation by Police in Aradapal forest that spreads over Jajpur and Keonjhar Districts. Two rifles, a pistol, 146 rounds of ammunition, seven boosters, 100 aluminium detonators, a screwdriver set and explosive materials were seized during the operation by the Police.

A 17-year old girl, who had joined the Maoists two years ago, surrendered before Angul Police after being disillusioned at the camp. "Life is quite boring in the Maoist camp," said Budhuni Munda alias Shanti, who used to carry luggage of other members.

Odisha Government decided to link all the 133 Police Stations in LWE-hit areas and 80 locations in difficult terrains with VSAT facility under CCNS. The decision was taken at the meeting of a committee on CCNS chaired by Chief Secretary which resolved to cover all the 581 Police Stations along with other District Police offices and high Police officers through specially-devised software to facilitate and expedite crime tracking.

The SF personnel found three landmines near Sikhapalli weekly market within Malkangiri Police limits in Malkangiri District.

Security has also been tightened in Malkangiri District for Kranti Diwas that the Maoists celebrate in memory leader Kranti Ranveer, who was killed in Police firing while attacking Motu Police Station on August 9, 2001.

An anti-Maoist cell was inaugurated at the Ganjam District Police headquarters.

DG of CRPF K Vijay Kumar said extreme measures were not resorted to unless it was unavoidable in dealing with the CPI-Maoist. "We have told our people, number one try to get surrender, number two, try to get arrest. Only when you are about to be shot, then you resort to firearms," Kumar told reporters here on the sideline of a function in Bhubaneswar.

The latest situation report on the CPI-Maoist prepared by the State Government indicates that the Maoists are importing cadres from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to the Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh (SDS) Division to revive the SDS Division.

The CPI-Maoist has expelled its top Odisha leader, Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil, saying he betrayed the group and the "great cause of the toiling masses". The 43-year-old Panda, who has a bounty of INR 2 million on his head, was the secretary of the OSOC of the CPI-Maoist and operated in Rayagada, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Ganjam Districts.

Sources said a Telugu cadre may replace Panda to bring cohesion in the Maoist rank and file in Odisha. Police sources said Panda, however, may have already severed his ties by forming the Odisha Maovadi Party.

Gopu Gopikrishna alias Sandesh alias Suryam, a CPI-Maoist leader, was arrested by the Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) rural Police from Malkangiri District in Odisha. According to sources, Suryam was the division committee member (DCM) of Malkangiri District. Sources also reported that Suryam is being taken to Visakhapatnam District.

Two days after the CPI-Maoist said it had expelled him from the party, Sabyasachi Panda, former secretary of the OSOC of the CPI-Maoist said the party should "review its actions, admit mistakes and mend itself". "The party will be doomed if it doesn't do so," he warned. In an audio tape circulated to media persons, Panda said he had no ties with the CPI-Maoist since last seven months and had formed a new outfit, Odisha Maoist Party. "We don't believe in violent confrontation with adversaries," he said, condemning the "mindless violence" being perpetrated by the CPI-Maoist.

Fear of the Maoists is keeping contractors away from the repairing work of an 18-km road between the block headquarters of Lamataput and Macchkund in Koraput District. Further, the Maoists have stalled three other vital road projects in Koraput District.

Narayan Suna (46), a Police home guard, was shot dead by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Majhipalli village in Paikamal area in Bargarh District of Odisha.

Odisha Police will request their Jharkhand counterparts to hand over Maoist 'area commander' Johnson Munda for interrogation in connection with certain cases in the state.

Maoists unfurled black flags in some remote pockets of Koraput and Malkangiri Districts on Independence Day. According to reports, Maoists hoisted black flags in many remote areas of Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput District. They also reported to have put up banners against Independence Day and black flags in remote areas of Kalimela block in Malkangiri District.

Odisha Maoist Party (OMP), the new Maoist outfit formed by Sabyasachi Panda in the State after his expulsion from the central Maoist organization, also tried to show up its presence in the areas under AOBSZC through posters and banners against Independence Day in the remote areas of Koraput and Malkangiri Districts.

The members of the Maoist-backed CMAS boycotted the Independence Day celebration by singing revolutionary songs, organizing a rally holding black Flags as well as hosting black flag at their meeting place at Tentulipadar village in Koraput District.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik demanded deployment of additional battalions of CAF and more helicopters for the State to tackle the Naxal threat. "Our requirement of two more battalions of central armed force for the state should be urgently met and deployed in some Districts of Odisha," Patnaik said after meeting Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi. He said the State has also demanded "two more helicopters" for operation in Naxal hit areas. Patnaik also demanded release of the pending claims of INR 1.26 billion for reimbursement for security related expenditure quickly besides seeking enhancement of funds under the integrated action plan programme.

Teli Kadraka alias Rajendra, the 'commander' of Jhanjabati area committee of CPI Maoist, was killed in an exchange of fire with SFs in Bada Mathur forest under Bandhugaon Police station limits in Koraput District. Rajendra was a resident of Tala Pottesh Village of Bandhugaon Block. However, some other Maoists escaped from the spot taking advantage of the dense forest. A 303 rifle and kitbags were recovered from the encounter site, where the Maoist group had set up a temporary camp, Police sources said.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Maran Piyusika, was arrested by the Police in Gunupur area of Rayagada District of Odisha. Maran hailed from Bakaguda village of Hanumanthpur panchayat under Chandrapur Police Station limits. Several non-bailable warrants related to Maoist activity were pending against him in different Police Stations of Rayagada District.

A former Gram Panchayat member was killed by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres in Padia area in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The body of Sukra Khurami (45), who had been missing since August 20 evening after he went to the village market, was found with his throat slit near Modiguda village.

More than 3000 activists and supporters of Maoist-backed CMAS protested in Bandhugaon block of Koraput District against the killing of Maoist 'commander' Rajendra alias Teli Kadraka in police encounter on August 19. They alleged that the District Police killed Rajendra in a fake encounter. They also maintained that Rajendra was an innocent and had no connection with any Maoists activities.

Odisha Government sanctioned 6,384 new posts for appointment of Gram Panchayat Development Officers (GPDO) and Gram Panchayat Technical Assistants (GPTA) in 18 Maoist-infested districts where the centrally assisted IAP is being implemented.

Eight persons were convicted for their involvement in CPI-Maoist activities by a court in Paralakhemundi tehsil in Gajapati District of Odisha. Each person was awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment and fined INR 500 by S K Behera, chief judicial magistrate-cum-assistant sessions judge, Gajapati.

Around 60 BSF personnel returning from a combing operation in Bejangwada to their base camp at Kalimela, narrowly escaped when a landmine planted by CPI-Maoist exploded on a forest road near Gumphakonda in Malkangiri District.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and two others were seriously injured when a landmine they were trying to plant exploded on a road near Tekguda in Kalimela area in Malkangiri. According to reports the victim was Muka Madkami. But the Police are yet to confirm his identity.

Parvati Majhi (25), a 'deputy commander' of the Paplur Dalam (armed squad) of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Malkangiri SP Akhilesh Singh. Parvati hailed from Bodinga village under Chitrakonda Police Station limits in the District. She was involved in exchange of fire in Sudha Kunda forest on November 24, 2008, in which a trooper of SOG K. Anand Patnaik had been killed by Maoist bullets.

Gananath Patra, adviser of the Maoist-backed CMAS, and an alleged Maoist sympathiser was acquitted in a murder case pending against him by the fast track court of Koraput District. The case was regarding the killing of Piniti Suresh, a supporter of Bandhugaon based CMAS, at Basnaput under Bandhugaon Police Station limits of Koraput District on September 7, 2009.

Three home guards of the State Police have recently resigned from their job following the brutal murder of a fellow home guard by Maoists in Bargarh District's Padmapur sub-division on August 13. The three home guards are Gajendra Bagh, Subash Sahu and Kishore Deep. They resigned on August 22, 24 and 28, respectively.

A BSF trooper, J Kundu, was killed and another, Dhiren Sahu, injured when a landmine planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres exploded on a forest road in Koraput District. The two troopers were members of a unit of the BSF stationed at Palur in Koraput.

In a written reply in the Assembly, Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik said that 99 Left-wing extremists had been killed in a duration of six-and-half years. Rejecting criticism from opposition parties, he also claimed to have spent 35 nights in Left-wing extremism (LWE)-hit areas during the last 12 years. The CM added 959 rebels had been arrested till August this year from 2006. Apart from this, 134 Maoists have surrendered before the Police, he said. On the allegation of failing to control Maoist violence, Patnaik claimed that LWE activities had considerably reduced in nine of the 19 Maoist-hit Districts. The Districts are - Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Deogarh.

Odisha Government made it clear that SPOs appointed by it are not being used in anti-Naxal operational duties nor are they deployed in any Security activities. SPOs appointed by Odisha Police under SRE Scheme are used for collection of intelligence only on security situation. About 1900 SPOs were engaged in 2011-12.

Seven Maoists, including three women were arrested from forest near Kamalapada in Koraput District. Two guns, 20 kg of gelatine sticks, three pairs of Maoist uniform and a large quantity of leaflets were also seized by the SFs. The arrested women cadre were Rupayi Mandangi, Singali Tadingi, and Juroka Huika. The arrested male cadres were Sigro Mandangi, Kenda Chakra, Rajarao Waleka, and Ramesh Sidaripu.

The Maoists told media in Malkangiri about their decision not to oppose the road construction works in Malkangiri District.

A powerful landmine planted on a road by CPI-Maoist cadres was seized by SF personnel in Kandhamal District. The explosive device was found between Kotagada and Srirampur. Altogether nine explosive devices including landmines and tiffin bombs were seized from Baliguda sub-division from the Maoist-affected District in the last one year.

A Maoist was arrested during anti-Maoist operations in Koraput District. The arrested Maoist, Karna Minsal, is a member of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist and was arrested from his village Kumbhariput within Bandhugaon Police limits. No arms or Maoist belongings were recovered from his possession.

In an assessment of armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist in the State, the Odisha Police has found that between 70 and 80 per cent of them do not belong to the State. Around 50 per cent of the total armed cadres belong to the AOBSZC operating in Koraput and Malkangiri Districts, a senior paramilitary officer said. The study also put the total number of armed Maoist cadre in Odisha at a little over 500. While many of them joined the outfit as recently as six months ago, some have been members for 30 years. The firearms they use range from single barrel muzzle loader to AK-47 and 9 mm pistol. The AOBSZC is the biggest, with an estimated 240-250 cadres. The second biggest committee is Dandakaranya Zonal Committee, which has around 100 armed cadres, mostly from Chhattisgarh. The third biggest zonal committee is the Orissa State Organising Committee, which has around 80 armed cadres. Officials said Odisha Maovadi Party formed by the recently expelled Sabyasachi Panda may not have more than 20 armed cadres.

SFs seized a huge cache of weapons and explosive materials stocked by the CPI-Maoist in a forest near Matikeda in Kotagada area in Kandhamal District. The articles recovered from the hidden dump included 79 detonators, five gelatin sticks, three wire bundles, four electric switches and several other devices used to make landmines. Eight rifles, one air gun, knives and other sharp weapons were also seized from the site besides volumes of Maoist literature including leaflets, pamphlets, posters, audio cassettes and Naxal flags.

SFs unearthed secret explosive dumps of the CPI- Maoist in Kandhamal and Malkangiri Districts of Odisha. In Kandhamal District the Maoist dump was located inside the forest near Targabali village under Gadapur Panchayat near Brahmanigaon Police Station limits. The seized items included three powerful landmines as well as electric wires, electrical switches and batteries used to detonate landmines. A digital multi-meter was seized from the spot, which was suspected to be used by Maoists for making the wiring of landmines. A generator set was also unearthed from the spot.

The other seizure of Maoist explosive materials occurred inside forest near Porkel under Orkel Police Station limits in Malkangiri District. The seized items included gelatine sticks, liquid and semi-liquid explosive chemicals, nitrates, wires etc used by Maoists to manufacture IED. Other items seized from the spot included air mattresses, Maoist literature and equipments like cameras used by Maoists for logistic support.

A hardcore Maoist, Jihuda Patamajhi (27) was arrested in Kandhamal District. Patamajhi, was bodyguard of Nikhil, top leader of the Maoist group of OSOC now active in Kandhamal after expulsion of Sabyasachi Panda from the Maoist organisation.

At least eight employees of a Hyderabad-based private construction company were arrested after a huge cache of explosive materials were seized in Malkangiri District.

Two powerful landmines, weighing about 25 kilograms each, planted by CPI-Maoist were seized by SFs from a road in a forest area near Tanginiguda near Boipariguda Police station in Koraput District of Odisha.

A CPI-Maoist poster pasted at a high school at Badbanki village in Tureikela block in Bolangir District in Odisha, has caused panic and led to the school's closure. The institution has remained closed for the past 12 days, as teachers, parents and officials did not dare to open the school, for fear that the Maoists would attack.

The Maoists killed a local trader, identified as Sattar Khan, by hacking him to death at Nangalbaoard in Sinapali area in Nuapada District, suspecting him to be a Police informer. According to the Police, a group of about 25 Maoists, including women, barged into the house of Sattar Khan and attacked him with sharp weapons and rifle bayonet. A note left by the Maoists stated that Sattar Khan was passing on information about Maoist activities to the Police.

Odisha Police arrested five persons and seized around 6,000 detonators which was being transported in a private bus at Lanji palli bypass road on the national highway in the AOB region. The detonators were packed in two containers consisting of 120 bundles. Each bundle had 50 detonators.

Rohidas Gond, an elected tribal ward member of a Panchayat was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres at Rajpur village in Nabarangpur District of Odisha. In a note left at the scene, the Maoists branded him a Police informer. Mainpur division of adjoining Chhattisgarh carried out the killing.

Former Sarpanch Mistu Khara and a Naib Sarpanch Raju Khara were abducted in Malkangiri District.

A landmine manufacturing unit of the CPI-Maoist was unearthed by SFs near the remote Jhumuka village under Bandhugaon Police Station limits in Koraput District. Around 18 kg of explosive material in gel form, 28 large steel pots called 'gara' and wires with plugs, a camera flash to detonate explosive devices and a Maoist uniform were seized from the spot.

Acting on a tip off, Police arrested a woman Maoist, Munguli Purti, during an anti-Maoist operation in forest area of Topadihi in Sundargarh District.

Armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two vehicles of Mohd Rice, a contractor in Badtunga village under Paikamal Police limits in Bargarh District and threatened him with dire consequences.

Seven village guards launched a search for Former Sarpanch Mistu Khara and a Naib Sarpanch Raju Khara but they were also taken hostage in Malkangiri District. Five of the village guards were later set free.

Two Maoists identified as Rout Wadeda and Braja Sirika of Podapadar village under Narayanpatna Police Limits surrendered in Koraput District.

Two suspected Maoists, identified as Mochi Lugun alias Mochi Munda (32) of Murusuan village and the woman cadre Munikshi Munda alias Muni (30) of Jhirpani in Sundargarh District, surrendered to the Police in Keonjhar District. The duos were operating in the Chhota Nagpur division of the CPI-Maoist.

Two village guards identified as Manik Khilo and Jagabandhu Khilo were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in the cut-off area of the Chitrakonda reservoir in Malkangiri District.

A CPI-Maoist 'commander' Srinath Brekbada alias Raju (21) was arrested during a joint raid by the Rayagada District Police and the CRPF. One landmine and an SBML rifle were seized from the possession of the arrested Maoist. He used to be the bodyguard of Maoist leader Azad.

The Koraput District Police and the BSF arrested nine Maoist militia members in Bandhugaon block of the Koraput District. Of the nine arrested militia members, eight were arrested from Elangvalasa village while one was arrested from Potesu village.

Maoists released a former Sarpanch and a Naib Sarpanch who were abducted from the Chitrakonda area of the Malkangiri District September 20.

The Odisha Government has decided to create an Auxiliary Police Force (APF) to regularise the services of SPOs. "The government has decided to create an Auxiliary Police Force to accommodate SPOs who have completed three years in service," chief secretary B K Patnaik said. Of the 4,000 SPOs, 1,791 have completed three years in service.

Three persons, identified as Badadural Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Vikram Krishani alias Bhikari, Laxman Sisa and Sonu Pangi were arrested from Mathili in Malkangiri District of Odisha, for their alleged links with CPI-Maoist. Two landmines and one pistol were seized from the trio who were allegedly involved in murder, encounter with SF personnel and other violence activities in the area.

Gananath Patra, adviser of the Maoist-backed CMAS of Narayanpatna block, was acquitted in a case pending against him in Koraput District. The case was related to the attack on the Narayanpatna Police Station on September 20, 2009 in which two cadres of CMAS Kendruka Singanna and Andrew Nachika died in Police firing.

SF personnel arrested six CPI-Maoist cadres belonging to different Maoist outfits in Nabarangpur and Ganjam Districts of Odisha. While the Police in Nabarangpur District arrested Prafulla Kumar Chetti (32) of Hatabharandi, K Suresh Patnaik (26) and Manoj Dakua (26), of Raighar area, the Police of Ganjam District arrested Sanjiv Nayak, Debendra Nayak and his younger brother Madan of Balinala village under Badagada Police Station limits. The Police also seized 6.3 kg of explosive, cash of INR 63,000, five mobile phones, Maoist literatures and banners from the three arrested Maoists in Nabarangpur District. The three Maoists arrested by Ganjam Police were putting the posters in market area of Badagada in the District.

Expelled Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda who has gone on to form his own outfit, Odisha Maoist Party (OMP) has ruled out any possibility of his giving up violence and returning to the mainstream in the near future. In a seven-minute audio tape he released to the media, the former CPI-Maoist leader said he would consider returning to mainstream life once the Government stopped adopting "violent methods to exploit and harass innocent poor people".

Two suspected CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a combing operation by CRPF and Police personnel inside the forest near Chhadakia village in Daringbadi area in Kandhamal District of Odisha. Seven country-made guns, two soap case bombs, some IEDs; two detonators and a bundle of wire were seized from the arrested Maoists. Some other materials including Maoist uniform, caps and bags were also recovered from the site.

Rajesh Mallick (30), a suspected CPI-Maoist supporter, who was arrested by Police on July 6, 2010 and was out on bail recently, was allegedly beaten to death by two of his relatives and the body was thrown into the turbulent Padma river near Pipalapanka in Ganjam District's Sorada Police Station limit. Though Rajesh was killed on September 24, the incident came to light, after Police arrested Bansi Mallick, uncle of the deceased who is one of the two accused.

18 gram rakshis or village guards of remote villages in Kudumulu Gumma block in Malkangiri District are reported to have expressed their desire to resign due to threat from Maoists. Copies of a common letter in which these guards have expressed their desire to resign have reached media personnel in the District. All of them are posted in villages of Panasput, Andrapali, and Jodamba Gram Panchayats of the cut off area of Chitrakonda reservoir under Chitrakonda Police Station limits.

A group of over 10 Maoists disrupted a Palli Sabha (hamlet level body) meeting and detained officials for several hours before freeing them in Kankurukonda panchayat within Kalimela Police Station limits in Malkangiri District. Before leaving the meeting spot, the Maoists handed over a list of their demands to officials and freed them on a warning not to hold palli sabha meetings again. The State Government is conducting Palli Sabha meetings as a part of its state-wide campaign titled "gram sabha shashaktikaran karyakram".

A petrol refill station manager was arrested for providing logistic support to Maoists at Raighar in Nabarangpur District. A Police team raided his house and also seized eight made in China walkie-talkie sets and a few mobile sim cards meant for Maoist cadres.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Budda Gumitanga (25) of Dangasorada panchayat under Chandrapur Police Station limits, was arrested along with an IED, from Rupakana square under Chandrapur Police Station in Rayagada District. Along with the IED two detonators were also seized from his possession. Gumitanga was an associate of Maoist leader Nikhil.

A 23-year-old third year B.Tech student allegedly posed as a CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested in Odisha's Mayurbhanj District for allegedly making extortion calls demanding INR 1 million from a Lok Sabha member Laxman Tudu who represents Mayurbhanj constituency.

The CPI-Maoist cadres abducted three persons identified as Padiami Lachha and Kunjami Singh and a student, identified as Ramesh Salda from Budaguda village under Kalimela Police Station in Malkangiri District.

Gram sabhas could not be held in four panchayats of Malkangiri District due to threat of Maoists.

A joint team of DVF and CRPF arrested a Maoist, identified as Sanatan Deep (30), during a combing operation in Arhwal reserve forest range of Paikamal in Bargarh District.

All the three persons abducted by Maoists under Kalimela Police Station area in Malkangiri District, were released. The trio had been abducted from Budaguda village in the District in the night of October 16.

A group of around 20 cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed Bhagaban Naik (40) a gramrakhi of Girliput village under Boipariguda Police Station in Koraput District of Odisha, two days after the Maoists had abducted him from his village. The Macchkund dalam of the CPI-Maoist, which claimed responsibility for the offensive, said in a letter left at the crime spot the gramrakhi was slain for acting as a Police informer.

The CPI-Maoist cadres were suspected to have abducted four persons, including a gramrakhi, in separate incidents in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts of Odisha.

A tribal civilian, identified as Gumpha Kadraka (50), was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres under Bandhugaon Police Station area in Koraput District of Odisha. Maoist Posters left on the spot claimed that the deceased had been killed as he was a Police informer.

Maoists are reported to have launched a massive recruitment drive in Malkangiri and Koraput District where sustained Police operations had depleted their cadre strength.

After keeping three persons as hostage for three days, the CPI-Maoist cadres freed them near Patraput in Koraput District. Those released are, gramrakhi (village guard) Lachhman Pangi, a former Maoist cadre Daya Challan and L S Jagan. While Pangi and Challan were abducted by the Maoists from Mudulipada Police limits in Malkangiri District, the Maoists had abducted Jagan from Onakadelli in Koraput District on October 20.

Commercial vehicles in Narayanpatna area of Koraput District and Kalyansinghpur area of Rayagada District stayed off the roads, due to a state wide shutdown called by the CPI-Maoist against the Union Government's economic policy, particularly hiking diesel prices and putting a cap on subsidised cooking gas cylinders.

A CPI-Maoist poster, found in Lakhna area in Nuapada District, threatened to kill SP of Bolangir, Nuapada and Bargarh Districts. The poster, while dissuading people not to help Police launch combing operations in the area, said the SPs of the three Districts deserve death punishment. Sources said the Maoists have planned to call a bandh in the three Districts on November 5 for which they have sought help from locals.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a village head by slitting his throat for not heeding to their diktats in Malkangiri District of Odisha. Around 50 Maoists lifted Pandu Madkami (50) of Parsanpalli under Padia Police Station when he was sleeping in his house and slit his throat at a nearby place.

Around 40 Maoists swooped down on the worksite of a contractor at MPV-22, near Kangrukonda and set ablaze a vehicle engaged in bridge construction work of Rural Development Department in Malkangiri District.

The CPI-Maoist have formed a new unit, Chhattisgarh-Odisha Border Committee (COBC), to strengthen their operation across the border areas of the two States and counter the expelled Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda's new party. According to sources, the newly formed Maoist unit has prepared its blueprint to counter Panda in the areas of Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada and Ganjam District. Around 60 persons have been engaged in the mission.

About 40 BSF troopers and Policemen had a narrow escape when a landmine planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres exploded during the clearance of a road blockade at Erakonda in Malkangiri District of Odisha.

Bipin Kumar Sahani alias Lambu, 'area commander' of Bhalulata-Digha region of the CPI-Maoist was arrested by the Rourkela Police during a combing operation in Tala Ginia area in Sundargarh District of Odisha. A German-made revolver and three rounds of bullets were recovered from him.

The State Government absorbed as many as 1,698 tribal youth, who were recruited as SPOs, in the newly-created Odisha Auxiliary Police Force (OAPF).

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Abraham Singh alias Siladitya, was arrested during a joint operation by the personnel of CRPF and the personnel of Badagada Police Station near his village Balinala in Ganjam District of Odisha. Some Maoist posters were recovered from his possession.

Police arrested four suspected Maoists for their links with the CPI-Maoist in Bolangir District. The suspects were identified as Ram Singh Bariha, a panchayat samiti member in Tureikela block, and his two sons, Debraj and Ganesh. The fourth, Tulsiram Jagat, was a social worker in Khaparakhol block. Police recovered INR 150,000 from them.

Maoist posters were found pasted in several villages of Nuapada District. Police said the posters were put up by Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda alias Sunil, urging villagers not to support Telugu Maoists. The posters alleged that Telugu cadres were exploiting Odia villagers. Every poster was signed by Sunil of Odisha Maobadi Party.

A group of 30 armed CPI-Maoist cadres barged into the house of one Murali Meher of Rengali village in Khaparakhol block in Bolangir District of Odisha and gunned him down. The Maoists left a leaflet at the spot, saying that the deceased was a liquor trader and Police informer.

Following the incident, the Police began a combing operation in the nearby forest of San Banjipali village in the District and spotted a Maoist camp. After a brief exchange of fire, the Maoists fled. The Police recovered two tiffin bombs, gelatine packets, detonators, live wires, two tents, medicines, clothes and utensils from the spot.

Maoists set ablaze five tractors, one JCB and a mixture machine at Palli Munda village in the Paikmal Police Station in Bargarh District.

DGP Dinesh Reddy while speaking to media after inaugurating the CRPF barracks at Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam District said, 15 helicopters would be deployed soon to track and flush out Maoists from the dense forests of AOB which is one of their strongholds in the country after the Dandakaranya region in Chhattisgarh. The DGP said the UAV would be available for full-fledged operations within three-four months.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, approved the proposal to raise two specialised India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) having engineering wings. According to official sources, the Chief Minister also sanctioned posts of 1,042 Constables for recruitment in the proposed specialised IRBs, which would be raised during the current financial year. The specialised IRBs with engineering wings would be commissioned in the State Police to take up construction activities in the Maoist-affected areas. This will facilitate improving the much-needed infrastructure facilities in the Maoist zones.

The State Government, in a unique initiative, has also started the process to set up an Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF) to provide security to industrial undertakings, vital installations and establishments. This would create additional opportunities of large-scale recruitment in the Police Force, the sources said.

Eight Districts in Odisha have been freed from the menace of CPI-Maoist due to aggressive operations and now the focus would be on the western Districts, DGP Prakash Mishra said. "We have achieved major successes against Naxals. About 8 of the 17 Maoist-affected Districts are now free from the menace following aggressive drives," he told reporters during a visit to Rourkela in Sundergarh District. The eight Districts are Nayagarh, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Sundergarh, Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Mayurbhanj and Deogarh, he said. The Police would now concentrate on Bolangir, Bargarh and Nabarangpur in western Odisha along with Gajapati and Rayagada Districts to demolish Naxal bases, he said. "Our other main thrust would be on Koraput and Malkangiri. We have special aggressive plans for those areas and in the coming days you will find defining results there for the forces," Mishra added. On Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, the DGP said, "He has set up bases in Gajapati, Ganjam and Kandhamal. Panda's base is weakening. Besides, the situation has changed after he left the CPI-Maoist and formed Odisha Maoist Party."

Three months after he was expelled from the CPI-Maoist, renegade Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who has formed Odisha Maovadi Party following his expulsion, has hit back at his former comrades asking whether the party has not taken to indiscriminate killings on the Andhra-Orissa border and West Bengal. Panda, who wrote a stringing letter to Maoist chief Ganapathi in June complaining about lack of internal democracy, last month shot off a letter to party mouthpiece People's March editor P Govindan Kutty reiterating how the party has lost its ways.

Three months after Sabyasachi Panda was expelled from the CPI-Maoist, five cadres of the Panda-led OMP were killed and a few others were injured during an encounter at Bhaliagada forest in Gobindpur Panchayat area under Mohana Police Station limits in Gajapati District. One person was arrested following the encounter.

Ganjam District, SP, Ashish Singh said Police seized four country-made guns, two 9 mm pistols, around 80 kg of explosives and 35 rounds of live cartridges from the spot.

SFs unearthed explosive materials belonging to CPI-Maoists in Kandhamal and Koraput Districts of Odisha during separate combing operations. The items seized from Samna village under Narayanpatna Block, Koraput District, included 129 gelatine sticks, 15 metres of codex wire and 20 metres of flexible wire, one tiffin bomb, maps, a steel container used to prepare IED, materials of day to day use, Maoist uniforms, leaflets and literature. Kandhamal District SP Jayanarayan Pankaj said that they seized three land mines, of the size of 20, 15 and five kg respectively, in a forest near Singaranga village.

Odisha Police intensified operation to nab expelled CPI-Maoist leader and OMP Chief, Sabyasachi Panda, two days after killing five of his associates in Gajapati District. Commenting on the operation a Senior State Police Official said the operation has been intensified in the Southern Districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada.

Odisha Police released sketches of six of Panda's close associates. The posters of the six Maoists -- Aruna, Krishna, Andrew Majhi, Pramod Majhi, Pratap Nayak and Prami Majhi were put up at public places in Gajapati, Ganjam and some other districts.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, Sushila alias Toda alias Sumita Mallick, working for the Ghumusar Division of the extremists, surrendered before the SP of Ganjam District, Asish Singh.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Raja Rao Hontal (35) of Phulpadar village within Chitrakonda Police limits, surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District of Odisha.

Cadres of CPI-Maoist killed a tribal civilian, Bhima Sisha (35), at Sishaput village under Mudulipada Police Station in Malkangiri District at midnight.

Security was tightened across Odisha in view of the bandh call given by CPI-Maoist and Sabyasachi Panda-led OMP, protesting against the recent encounter of five Maoists at Bhaliaguda in Gajapati District. While Panda called for state-wide bandh, the Bansadhara Division of the CPI-Maoist called for bandh in four Southern Districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal and Rayagada to protest against the November 14 encounter.

The four Maoists, who were arrested in the Bhaliaguda jungles on the Ganjam-Gajapati District border, confirmed injuries to the expelled Maoist Sabyasachi Panda and some other members of his group in the exchange of fire with SF personnel on November 14.

The bandh call given by OMP and CPI-Maoist in Odisha had partial response. Some commercial vehicle remained off the road in some places of Gajapati, Rayagada, Ganjam, Koraput and Kandhamal Districts fearing attacks.

Two aides of Sabyasachi Panda, Chief of OMP, identified as Dedy alias Samasan Mallick (25) and his associate Aruan Sonamaji (22) of Kandahamal Distrct, surrendered before SP, Asish Kumar Singh, at Chhatrapur, in Ganjam District.

DGP, Odisha, Prakash Mishra said Maoist activities have been contained in the State and the menace was now confined only to five Districts.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed a gram rakhi, identified as Goura Chandra, in Koraput District, suspecting him to be a Police Informer.

Six gram rakhis (village guards) working in Boipariguda region of Koraput District have resigned in the last three days. While three village guards of Boipariguda put in their papers on November 24, three from Batriput, Kathopoda and Koraput resigned on November 25.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Lingama Habika (35), a top leader, and Kameya Habika (30), allegedly involved in the abduction of Laxmipur Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Jhina Hikaka, were arrested in Narayanpatna Block of Koraput District.

OMP Chief and expelled CPI-Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda through an audio statement condemned the hanging of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and further said that he has kept open the door for talks with the government.

CPI-Maoist cadres stopped 'vulgar' dance performance and assaulted the organisers of the show in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The Police said dancers from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were dancing 'semi-nude' at "Jagadhatri Puja" (local deity) celebrations at MPV-12 village when about 20 Maoists stormed the show and assaulted 15 persons including the organisers who were Bangladeshi settlers.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Dalu Mandingi (32), was arrested by BSF personnel during a combing operation in Narayanpatna block in Koraput District.

Three Maoists, identified as Laxman Raita alias Patu of Tudukapanka village in Gajapati District, and two women cadres, Mamita Gamang alias Manjula and Ester Raita alias Mamata of Patasala village in the same district, associated with Sabyasachi Panda led OMP, surrendered before the Ganjam, SP, Ashis Kumar Singh at Chhatrapur.

In Odisha 780 Gram Rakhis working across Koraput District threatened to resign en masse if the Government doesn't act on their three-point charter of demands like provision of payment `10,000 for cremation and `10 lakh as ex-gratia and employment to any of the family members in case of death.

SF personnel recovered a secret dump belonging to CPI-Maoist cadres during a Joint Combing Operation by the District Police, SOG and CRPF in Badabanga forest near Kerubadi in Daringbadi Police Station area of Kandhamal District.

The CPI-Maoist put up posters in Koraput and Malkangiri Districts ahead of the PLGA week starting December 2.

Vehicular movement was badly hit in the CPI-Maoist dominated areas of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada Districts on the first day of PLGA week.

The Koraput District Police have started awareness-building measures to allay fears of village guards or 'gram rakshis'. In the past one week, several village guards from Baipariguda block of Koraput District have expressed their desire to resign due to fear of Maoists.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze the battery rooms of two mobile towers at Boipariguda in Koraput District.

During the PLGA week, the Maoists have also launched a publicity campaign by plastering the walls of towns and villages in Malkangiri, Koraput and Gajapati Districts with "revolutionary" posters. The posters urged the people to support Maoists' war against Odisha. One of the posters said the PLGA would soon be renamed as PLA (Peoples Liberation Army).

The State Government has spent close to INR 3 billion on for taking both long term and short term actions to fight Maoists during past three years, according to reply furnished by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the State Assembly in Bhubaneswar. Patnaik also replied that situation was improving in Naxal-afflicted Districts due to strong actions taken by Security Forces. "Districts such as Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, Deogarh, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur and Gajapati Districts have not witnessed any Maoist violence this year while ultras were active in Koraput, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur District," he informed. Patnaik said as many as 10 LWEs were killed while 137 Maoists and their supporters were arrested by the Police this year.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Jadu Rai Soi alias Chamara (36) and Bijay Honhaga alias Rakesh (30) of Jharkhand, and close aides of senior Maoist leader Samarji, surrendered before the Rourkela Police in Sundargarh District.

SF personnel arrested three Maoists, including two women cadres, identified as Tulsa Praska alias Sunita (23), Relini Mandingi (24) and Uje Sirika (35), all residents of Narayanpatna Block, following a raid on a camp in dense forests of Narayanpatna in Koraput District. Police seized huge materials used by Maoists including a county made gun and musical instruments of Jana Natya Mandali.

Representatives of gramrakshis from Maoist-infested areas of undivided Koraput District deferred their mass resignation after holding discussion with DIG, South-West range S. Devadutta Singh on November 04. Around 150 gramrakshis met at Nisanimunda which was also attended by the General Secretary of Nikhila Utkala Gram Rakkhi Sangh, Fakir Mohan Mallik.

SF personnel intensified anti-Maoist combing operation in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon areas of Koraput District since November 3, with the extremists observing the PLGA week from December 2.

Gajapati Police in Odisha arrested Kailash Mandal and Sangram Mohanty, son of Maoist sympathiser and Jan Adhikar Manch convener Dandapani Mohanty, with weapons and Maoist literature apart from some cash near Kamlapur Square in Mohana in Gajapati District. The arms seized from Sangram included two US-made revolvers, 95 rounds of 7.62 ball ammunition and 500 gram explosive materials.

The CPI-Maoist cadres pasted posters at various places within Boipariguda Police limits asking the locals of Boipariguda tehsil in Koraput District, working in Odisha Police and Central Forces, to resign from their jobs.

The traffic movement in several LWE-affected pockets of Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri Districts was hit following the PLGA week [December 2 - 8].

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Hira Pangi of Palankarai village, involved in many violent activities, was arrested by the BSF troopers and SOG personnel in a joint raid conducted at his house, along with huge quantity of arms and ammunition at Paparmetela in Malkangiri District. The arms and ammunition recovered included, two tiffin bombs, one pipe bomb, five electronic detonators, four gas cylinders, 12 sets of bows and arrows, explosive materials and some fuse wire used to blast the landmines.

Maoist interlocutor Dandapani Mohanty's son, Sangram Mohanty went on hunger strike in R Udaygiri Sub-jail in Gajapati District, protesting his arrest by the Police.

Police arrested Basanta Ram, an 'area commander' of the PLFI, a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist, from Rourkela in Sundargarh District.

At least 47 IAS and 82 IPS officers' posts are lying vacant in the State against the sanctioned strength of 226 IAS and 188 IPS posts respectively, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed the State Assembly.

An activist of the Maoist-backed CMAS of Narayanpatna block of Koraput District, identified as Dumuri Miniaka (35), was arrested during a joint operation by the District Police and CRPF from Bajragada area under Rayagada Police Station in Rayagada District.

The CPI-Maoist Central leadership handed over the responsibilities of AOBSZC to the senior-most commander among the present lot, Gajarla Ravi alias Uday alias Ganesh alias Charcharla Ganesh, giving much needed rest to Central Committee member Akkiraju Haragopal alias Ramakrishna alias RK.

SF personnel engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operations recovered a huge arms dump in Musilimunda forest in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District.

BSF personnel recovered four big iron pipes used to make claymore mines, about 40 kilograms of gun powder and a few metres of wires belonging to CPI-Maoist, during a combing operation inside Sapalguda forest in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District.

Four powerful landmines were recovered by SF personnel from an abandoned CPI-Maoist camp at Nipapidi forest in Ganjam District.

BSF jawans recovered seven landmines and explosives materials during a combing operation from Mankindi forest in Narayanpatna Block.

The CPI-Maoist reacted strongly to the media statement of Jana Adhikar Manch convener Dandapani Mohanty that the government had paid INR 60 million to Maoists for the release of Laxmipur MLA, Jhina Hikaka, and former Malkangiri DM R. Vineel Krishna from their captivity.

To avert a possible clash between tribals and non-tribals, Koraput District Administration clamped prohibitory orders under CrPC 144 at Podapadar and its peripheral areas under Maoist-hit Narayanpatna block.

One personnel of SOG was injured when a landmine planted by CPI-Maoist cadres exploded, at Sanadengli village under Kalyansinghpur Police Station in Rayagada District.

The SF personnel unearthed a CPI-Maoist arms dump between Kumbari and Narikeluva village of Narayanapatna block in Koraput District.

Basudev Bhoi, a Left Wing Extremist (LWE) and an aide of Sabyasachi Panda, the leader of the Odisha Maobadi Party (OMP) surrendered before Police in Kandhamal District. Bhoi from Kandhamal's Kambanaju village had joined the OMP about eight months ago and received gun training in a Maoist camp. But he escaped from a Maoist camp just two days before the encounter at Bhaliaguda on November 14.

Prakash Mishra, the Director General of Police (DGP), dismissed rumours that any top Maoist leader was still present in the State, and claimed that Maoist problem in the State would be under control in the next two years. The DGP said in Rourkela (Sundergarh District), "All the Maoist leaders are from outside Odisha. Sabyasachi Panda (is) not a big leader as such. His position in the Maoist set up is known to all." The DGP claimed that out of the 17 Maoist-affected Districts in Odisha, eight have been freed from Maoist activities and now the focus would be on the rest. In the coming days the forces would concentrate on Districts including Bolangir, Bargarh, Nabrangpur, Gajapati and Rayagada, however the main thrust would be on Koraput and Malkanagiri. Mishra further said, "Efforts are on to enhance the staff by inducting more constable level personnel." Present strength of Odisha Police is 60,000 which was doubled from 30,000 a few years back but main thrust is to create more armed personnel keeping in view Maoists problem.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Shrabana Gardanaka and Picha Gagaranda, were arrested while planting landmines on Siriguda-Gumi road in Rayagada District during a combing operation. They were close to Maoist leaders Gobind and Nikhil. Police recovered two landmines weighing around eight kilograms each, 50 metres of live wire and two electronic detonators from them.

Suspected Maoists attempted to set ablaze two towers of private telecom companies at Ganjam's Ashurabandh village. Police recovered two hand-written posters from the spot. However, the towers have not been damaged.