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.