Odisha Timeline 2017

Date

Incidents

January 5

A militia member of the CPI-Maoist, who was involved in the Chamundia beat-house torching case in July 2016, was arrested by Police in Senepuri forest near Badasilinga in Nayagarh District. The arrested Maoist, Santosh Majhi (35), had been working with the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist for the past three years. Two associates of Majhi escaped during the raid. One of them has been identified as Bipin, while the other's identity is yet to be established. Majhi and a dozen of his associates had damaged the beat house and set fire to a jeep which was being used for anti-poaching operations in Nayagarh Forest Division (NFD).

The UMHA flagged the operational efficiency of SFs in the Naxal-affected areas as one of its biggest achievements during a presentation before PM Narendra Modi. The Ministry informed Modi that since the NDA Government came to power in May 2014, there had been a 45 per cent increase in the efficiency of Central Forces (CFs) in operations against the Naxals. In a presentation made by Home Secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi, Modi and other officials were informed that the number of Naxal cadres killed in 2016 had been the highest ever in six years. Eighty-Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in 2015 and in 2016, the number swelled to 218, which was an increase of 160 per cent. There was also an increase in the number of Police encounter from 237 in 2015 to 316 in 2016. UHM Rajnath Singh told in a press conference earlier this week that demonetization had increased the problems of CPI-Maoist and that they had weakened. The EFC has already given the go-ahead for an ambitious road project in the 44 worst Naxal-affected Districts. Under this project, the Government proposes to construct 5,412 km of roads and 126 bridges and it would cost INR 117.25 million. The Government is redrawing the 'Red Corridor' - the area affected by LWE - and may soon take off 20 Districts from the list of Naxal-affected areas. The 106 Districts which span 10 States - Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - constitute the Red Corridor. Of these, 44 Districts are said to be the worst affected. India has a total of 683 Districts.

Ahead of the process of filing of nomination papers for the three-tier panchayat elections, the CPI-Maoist has warned the tribals of Malkangiri District, to abstain from the poll. More than 500 tribal residents of Ralegada panchayat, on the other side of cut-off Chitrakonda reservoir, took out a protest rally and dared the Government to hold elections in the area. The villagers, under the aegis of 'Malkangiri Zilla Adivasi Rayat Kuli Sangha', a frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist, organised a meeting at Ralegada panchayat, which was also attended by top Maoist leader Raman. Shouting slogans against the Government, they protested the BJD's failure to provide basic needs to the villagers over the years. The Maoist-supported villagers declared to boycott the panchayat election over the issue. At the meeting, which continued for more than an hour, the rebel leaders have threatened that those who participate in the poll process will be punished in a 'Praja Court'. The electorates have been threatened that their thumbs would be chopped off if they dare to go for voting.

Odisha Government has targeted to complete the Gurupriya Setu (bridge) in Naxal-affected Malkangiri District by the end of September 2017.The bridge which was opposed by the CPI-Maoist. On completion the bridge will connect the cut off area with the main land and provide access to more than 25,000 tribal people who were cut off from the mainland of Malkangiri after Chitrakonda Reservoir was constructed in 1964 for Balimela Hydel Project.

The CPI-Maoist cadres abducted five persons including four Odisha Government officials from Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District. Odisha is going to have panchayat elections on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 2017. Sources said a group of Maoists produced them at a 'Praja Court' at Similipodar village. The five persons have been identified as poll officials Hrushiskesh Naik and Purshottam Behra, junior engineers Praveen Soren and Kamini Kanth as well as Jodamba village head Lakshaman Sisa's son Manoranjan Sisa, sources said. However, another officer Lingaraj Majhi managed to escape.

After reports on abduction of five poll officials in Malkangiri District on January 13, the abducted officials claimed that they were in the captivity of the LWEs and produced before a praja court. Of the five poll officials, two of them - gram panchayat technical assistants Praveen Soren and Kaminikanta Singh - have narrated their ordeal to media after their release. "We were abducted while we were on duty at our respective panchayats. We were taken to a place near Gora Setu and produced before a praja court where around 20-22 Maoists were present. The ultras threatened us not to participate in the panchayat polls and asked us to go back," Kaminikanta Singh said. Another abducted official Praveen Soren said: "The Maoists told me that whether it is police encounter or other issues, district administration has not reached out to people. The villagers have been deprived of the welfare schemes. They will not allow polls to be held in the region till the government benefits reach them."

CPI-Maoist cadres have warned villagers through posters in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District to abstain from voting during panchayat polls. The posters were found in Balipeta and Tentulipadar panchayats of the District. The panchayat polls will be held in five phases: February 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21, 2017.

The Maoists of AOBSZC issued a Press release asking people of the cutoff areas to boycott the panchayat polls, leaving the SEC and the State administration in a tizzy.

Following the call of CPI-Maoist cadres to people to boycott the upcoming panchayat elections and their subsequent abduction of poll officials in Malkangiri District, the SEC, informed that any decision on whether to announce a new poll schedule for the cutoff areas in the District would be taken after withdrawal of candidatures scheduled on January 22. SEC Secretary Rabindra Sahu told reporters in Bhubaneswar, "Filing of nominations is left for another two days. Once the process gets over tomorrow, the SEC will take a decision after assessing the situation not only for Malkangiri but other places as well where similar situations have occurred. As per the poll norms, if a nomination is not filed for any panchayat due to any reasons in the first phase, a new schedule is announced by the SEC. In case all the nominations are rejected or withdrawn, a new schedule is also declared."

CMAS, a CPI-Maoist front organization, leader Nachika Linga's nomination for Zilla Parishad member in the upcoming Panchayat elections was rejected during scrutiny in Koraput District. Linga, currently lodged in Koraput Circle Jail after his arrest in 2014, had sent his nomination paper for Narayanpatna zilla parishad member to the DRO through his counsel Gupteswar Panigrahi.

The United States of America sought a safe and secure environment for its nationals visiting Odisha in view of the rampant CPI-Maoist cadre's activities. The issue was raised by Consul General Katherine B Hadda at the US Consulate in Hyderabad when she met Odisha's DGP K B Singh.

The United States of America sought a safe and secure environment for its nationals visiting Odisha in view of the rampant CPI-Maoist cadre's activities. The issue was raised by Consul General Katherine B Hadda at the US Consulate in Hyderabad when she met Odisha's DGP K B Singh.

Odisha DGP, K B Singh reviews Maoist situation in Malkangiri District. DGP was on a visit to the District to review security arrangements in view of the call given by the Naxals to boycott elections. The DGP first visited BSF camp at MV-3. Later he visited the BSF camps at Jodamba and Badapada in the cut-off area.

Maoists put up fresh posters at several places in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts have called for poll boycott.

CPI-Maoist threat forced the SEC to postpone the rural polls in Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri District. The SEC announced it based on a report jointly submitted by the District Collector and SP. The report said that adequate security personnel could not be deployed for safety and security of poll personnel in the cut off areas. "The law and order situation in the block is not satisfactory according to a report filed by the district administration. So, we have decided to postpone the elections in Chitrakonda block," said SEC secretary R N Sahu. The block with heavy Maoist presence has total 222 wards, 18 each gram panchayats and samitis and two zilla parishad zones. Fearing Maoist attack, not a single nomination was filed for the posts of sarpanchs and ward members in the nine panchayats inside the cut-off areas.

The Central Government of India has sanctioned INR 6.57 billion for implementation of road projects in CPI-Maoist affected areas of Koraput and Malkangiri District of Odisha. The State Government of Odisha had submitted the road project proposals under Road Requirement Plan (RRP)-II which was approved by the Union Ministry of Rural Development (UMRD). UMRD also cleared road plans having a length of 5412 Kilometers including 126 bridges in eight other Naxal affected States. The State projects include Kalimela-Gomphakonda-Bejingiwada-Orkel, Khairiput- Mathili, Mathili-Kaliaguda, Podia-Sikhapali, Kudumuluguma-Katameta, MV-76-Vejangiwada and several other roads in Malkangiri District.

SPs from six Districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha led by two DIGs held a meeting at Koraput District. They gathered to plan joint operations and eliminate the CPI-Maoist from the border areas. According to sources, all the SPs and DIGs came to the conclusion that coordination, cooperation and sharing of information should be done at regular intervals. They also chalked out plans to penetrate the interior pockets of the tribal belt to reach out to the public with community policing programmes.

At least eight Police personnel were killed and five others injured in a landmine explosion suspected to have been triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Mungarbhumi on Sunki ghat in Koraput District. The van carrying 13 Police personnel was on its way to Angul. They were going to the Police Training College, Angul to get special Police driving training when the Maoists blasted them off at around 2 pm. The number of deaths of Police personnel in the Maoists' Sunki landmine explosion rose to eight with the body of lone missing driver Tulasi Ram Majhi found this morning (February 2), informed Koraput SP, Charan Singh Meena. Seven Police personnel died and five others sustained injuries yesterday (February 1) as the landmine planted underground at Sunki ghati in Koraput District on AOB exploded. Tulasi Ram was missing, he said. The identities of the slain personnel are Somnath Sisa, Sanjay Kumar Das, Arun Kumar Nayak, Subarna Kumar Raj, Pradipta Kumar Rout, Ganesh Prasad Das, Harekrushna Prushti and Tulasi Ram Majhi.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a ward member candidate of Bara village under the Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District. The deceased was identified as Dasu Dharua. According to reports, about 20 armed Maoist rebels of the Darbha Division of the banned outfit CPI-Maoist called Dharua out of his house before being shot dead them later. Police sources said the Maoists were aggrieved over Dhurua, suspecting his links with Police. Dhurua's brother, who was part of a Maoist outfit, recently shunned the path of violence and surrendered before the Police, much to the chagrin of the Maoists

Several CPI-Maoist posters bearing the signature of CPI-Maoist Secretary Umakanta Mishra were found at several places in Sikarpai of Kalyansinghpur area in Rayagada District. In the posters, the Maoist rebels have asked people to abstain from the panchayat polls. Earlier, the Maoists had put posters in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts threatening people to boycott the upcoming panchayat polls in Odisha.

The landmine blast on Sunki ghat road in Koraput District on February 1, and killing of a ward member in Mathili block in Malkangiri District on February 2, by CPI-Maoist cadres is part of a series of attacks planned by Naxals to avenge the Ramaguda encounter in Malkangiri District on October 24 - 27, 2016, where 30 Maoists were killed, says Odisha Police. The landmine blast at the Sunki ghat road was well planned and executed by the Maoists, sources said. Police of both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh suspect that Nandapur area committee led by Andruu, Narayanpatna area committee led by Chaitanya alias Aruna and also the Maoists military PLGA team third CRC company were involved in the action. The main role was played by the Nandapur area committee, the sources said. According to the sources, generally, Maoists never attack unarmed cops, but they did it at Sunki ghat road in a desperate attempt to boost the morale of the cadres who were losing confidence after the Ramaguda encounter on October 24, 2016.

A senior Police officer said, "The victims were all newly recruited cops who got jobs through a court direction and were going for training. Naxals had knowledge about the movement of the cops from the starting point at Koraput. They planted the landmine under a culvert on the highway that was busy with vehicular movement. Hitting the target in such a manner shows that it was a pre-planned execution. Maoists knew that the minivan was coming. They ignited wires to detonate the landmine by using a flash. They knew exactly that the bus carrying the newly recruited drivers did not have weapons. Usually, when Naxals attack cops they loot the arms. They also fire at those who survive the attack. But, here nothing like that happened. There were no arms and no firing on the injured persons. This shows the Maoists had knowledge of every detail." As per the inputs, around 40 to 50 Maoists including 30 women cadres participated in the action.

Two PLFI cadres were killed and five others injured in an exchange of fire with SFs in the Pital Forest under the Bisra Police limits in Sundargarh District. SFs recovered 11 magazines; an AK-47 rifle and eight other guns, 190 live bullets, 45 mobile phones, clothes and shoes were seized from the spot. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Sunki Ghat-like blast was averted by CRPF at Lanjigarh Block in Kalahandi District. A bomb disposal squad of the CRPF from Rayagada District led by Commandant Manoj Sharma with the help of sniffer dog defused a 25 Kilogram IED.

SOG personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres exchanged fire during a combing operation at Kutudi forest under Bijaghati Panchayat in Narayanpatna District of Odisha. No injuries have been reported

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two earthmoving machines, two tractors and a water tanker in Rayagada District. The vehicles belonged to a contractor engaged in road construction near Sandengleli in Parsali Panchayat under Kalyansinghpur Block of the District.

A tape was released by 'secretary' of Bansadhara, Ghumusar and Nagabali Division of the CPI-Maoist, Umakant. The tape threatened villagers of calling for poll boycott in three southern Odisha Districts, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Rayagada.

The MDC of the CPI-Maoist in a fresh banner has threatened the villagers to chop off the hands of voters who defy its call to boycott the Panchayat elections at Dekrikota in Malkangiri District. Similar posters were found in Rayagada District of Odisha calling for Panchayat polls boycott.

At least five construction equipments were torched by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kulihamunda village of Rengali Gram Panchayat under Khaparakhol block of Balangir District. 10 armed Maoist cadres including five women cadres entered the camp of a local contractor, Md Illaish, in Banjipali village at around 11 PM. The contractor was carrying out road construction work for PWD from Ghunsar to Rengali.

The SFs in AOB and their counterparts in Odisha are on a high alert as CPI-Maoist cadres are gearing up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of GPCR and Naxalbari Armed Uprising. SFs suspect that Maoists, who are on a killing spree as an act of revenge for the Ramaguda encounter, may engage in violent activities to show their presence. A document released in the name of their 'General Secretary' Ganapati recently urged the cadres to use the occasions as a platform for recruitments and creating awareness among the people to wage war against the state.

Due to threat of CPI-Maoist cadres, no voter came out to vote for elections at 13 booths of a Panchayat in Korukonda Block of Malkangiri District. This happened in Nakamamudi Panchayat of Korukonda block. As many as 19 polling booths had been opened in this remote CPI-Maoist-infested Panchayat. But till 12 noon, the end of polling time, no voter turned up to cast his vote in 13 of these booths. In the rest six booths polling was too low. Ahead of the Panchayat polls, the Maoists had put threatening banners and posters in remote areas of Malkangiri District.

The CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a BSF camp at Kartalpali near Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District. BSF jawans retaliated when CPI-Maoist cadres fired at the BSF camp to oppose the election at Kartalpali. No casualty has been reported in the incident. Maoists had warned the tribals not to contest or cast vote.

No affect on polling was reported in Koraput District and Malkangiri District during the polls in Odisha. The polling percentage was reported 72. Most of the polling booths were situated in Naxal -hit areas in both Bandhugaon and Boipariguda blocks. In Malkangiri, there was a voter turnout of 75 per cent in Kalimela.

A CAG of India's performance audit of special development initiatives in the Naxal-affected areas over the past five years has found most of these programmes failed miserably. A final report of the same audit is likely to be placed in the Budget session of the Odisha Assembly starting next week.

A group of about 30 armed CPI-Maoist cadres abducted at least five villagers of Mahupadar and Kamarpalli villages under Mathili Police Station limits in Malkangiri District on February 20. Maoist suspected them to be 'Police informers' and held them hostage for more than 12 hours before setting them free today. The Maoists had tried them in a Praja court on the charges of being 'Police informers'. They were also beaten up severely before being allowed to walk free. The abducted villagers were Rama Kabasi, Rame Madhi, Unga Kabasi, Chaitanya Madhi and Deba Madkami.

CM Naveen Patnaik, requested Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, to ask the UMHA to waive the entire amount of charges on deployment of CAPFs personnel in the Naxal affected areas in Odisha. Around 15 Battalions of State Police Forces have been raised and engaged in combat of the Naxals. Over a 20,000-Police Force cadre has been created to face the CPI-Maoist menace. At present, 16 Battalions of CAPFs have been deployed in the State's Maoist zones, besides a CoBRA Battalion in Koraput. The State Government has been repeatedly drawing attention of the Union Government that there is a gross asymmetric deployment of CAPFs in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts along the border vis-à-vis Chhattisgarh. This is creating serious security vacuum in these two districts, for which there is influx of Chhattisgarh-based CPI- Maoist cadres into Odisha.

Two hardcore women cadres of the CPI-Maoist carrying cash reward of INR 400,000 each surrendered in Malkangiri District. The surrendered Maoists have been identified as Sumitra Madvi alias Manila (35) of village Simrikhal under Gadchiroli District in Maharashtra and Jagi Madkami alias Namita (33) of Tekguda village in Malkangiri District. According to SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, Sumita joined the CPI-Maoist organisation in 2001 and was working as an 'area committee member' of the AOBSZC.

The LWE wing of Crime Branch in Bhubaneswar in Khordha District, asked Police to expedite LWE cases. The State Crime Branch has asked the Naxal-affected Districts of Odisha to create a databank of such cases and appoint dedicated officers to pursue the progress of investigations. The LWE wing of Crime Branch supervises investigation into Maoist offences in the State. Official sources said at least 700 LWE related cases were registered in different Police Stations since 2000. Nearly 70 per cent of the cases are pending investigation whereas conviction rate stands at nearly seven per cent.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze the machines used for road construction at Mankidi village under Podapadar Panchayat in Koraput District. According to sources more than ten Maoist cadres stormed into a contractor's camp and set a JCB and a road-roller machine on fire.

An explosion took place on Jugasaipatna road in Kalahandi District. SFs suspected CPI-Maoist cadres might have planted landmines which led to the explosion on the road. No casualties have been reported in the explosion

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, Waga Kawasi (35) alias Raju, involved in at least nine murders, surrendered before Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra in Malkangiri District. The Odisha Government had declared reward of INR 100,000 for his capture. Waga joined the CPI-Maoist organisation in 2004 and has been an active member of the Kalimela Area Committee.

Narayanpatna Police arrested four suspected CPI-Maoist cadres from Koraput District. The arrestees are identified as Basanta Hantal of Kotiya village, Purno Tadangi and Rajiv Tadangi of Upar Gumandi village - all in the District - and S Murali Krishna, a contractor from Gajapati District. Suspected Maoists had allegedly set fire to a JCB machine and other road construction equipment near Podapadar village under Narayanpatna Police limits on February 27.

About 200 Dongria Kondhs tribals of Niyamgiri Hills staged a demonstration in front of the Rayagada District Police Office. Tribals were demanding release of Bari Pidikaka of Tahali village, Dashuru Kadraka and Saiba Pushika of Gortha village, who were arrested on charges of being Naxals. Ladda Sikaka, convener of NSS, said unable to fight the Maoists, Police is targeting innocent Dongria Kondhs branding them as Maoist supporters. They have threatened to stage mass protests from Rayagada to Bhubaneswar if their demands are not met.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a road construction machine and a two-wheeler at Badapadar village under Bijepur Police limits in Kalahandi District. According to reports, a group of over five Maoists set ablaze a JCB and a motorcycle belonging to the contractor, identified as Rajendra Sahoo, protesting road construction work. "Last night a group of Maoists arrived at my home in search of me. However, I managed to hide following which they took the key of the JCB from driver and set the machine on fire on the outskirts of the village," said Rajendra.

Deva Madhi alias Raghu, a CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying INR 100,000 reward on his head, surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District. Raghu was working as a member of LGS of Kalimela Dalam for the last four years. He was allegedly involved in the murder of Tulsiram Bedara, Jaga Madkami, Deva Madkami, Ganga Padiami, Madan Hantala, Gurumurti Madhi, Sama Padiami and Badu Hantala in 2013

A group of 15 to 20 CPI-Maoist cadres abducted three villagers, Hari Pradhan, Banamali Naik and Sudarsan Naik of Narlapat village, from Thuamul-Rampur Police Station limits in Kalahandi District. A senior Police official said the rebels either take the support of locals or resort to violence to trigger a fear psychosis among them to carry out their activities unhindered.

A report of the Home Department of Odisha Government, the standing committee chairman Ramesh Chandra Chaya Patnaik, told the Odisha Assembly that as 39 CPI-Maoist were neutralised while 23 civilians and three security personnel were killed in 2016. Report also stated that LWE situation remained challenging in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh, Boudh, Angul and Nayagarh Districts.

One of the three villagers abducted by the cadres of CPI-Maoist, on March 15, was killed by the Maoists, while other two were released unhurt in Kalahandi District. The body of Banamali Naik was found today in front of his house.

Posters written in Odia by the CPI-Maoist cadres of the Rayagada Area Committee affixed in tree trunks were found at Parsali Gram Panchayat office under Kalyan Singhpur Block in Rayagada District. The posters depicted the pro-people works undertaken by the CPI-Maoist.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed an abducted villager by slitting his throat and released other in Rayagada District. Mali Pusika and Mandu Pusika- two villagers of Sapalajhola under Muniguda Police limits in the District- were abducted by the Maoists on March 19. While Police recovered the body of Mali Pusika this morning (March 21), Mandu Pusika was reportedly freed by the Maoists.

The DGP of Odisha KB Singh reviewed anti-CPI-Maoist operations at the District Police headquarters in Kalahandi District. Singh held discussions on shortage of Force and proposals for upgradation of the Police Stations particularly in border areas in the District. "Today, we reviewed the crime and naxal activities in Kalahandi where couple of incidents has been reported recently. We have detected movement of few naxal groups in the district and nearby areas for which we are framing our strategy, "said Singh. He further informed that Naxals are well under control and the process of recruitment to address shortage of Police personnel would be completed within six months.

The State Government of Odisha has pressed the MHA for mobilisation of two more Battalions of CAPF to strengthen anti-CPI-Maoist operations in Odisha. State DGP K B Singh informed media persons that the demand was made to CRPF Special DG (Central Zone). At present, 16 battalions of Central Forces have been deployed in Odisha in comparison to more than over 100 Battalions each in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Of the 16 battalions of Central Forces deployed in Odisha, eight are from CRPF, while one is a CoBRA unit of the CRPF.

Three wanted cadres, including two women of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered before the District Police in Malkangiri District, citing exploitation from their leaders and ill health as the reasons. Each of them carried a reward of `one lakh on their heads. The trio, Malle Bedingi alias Malle, Merry Karnem alias Divya alias Laxmi and Deba Madkami alias Deba belonged to Kalimela LOS under the AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist. All three were active members of Kalimela Area Committee under the Malkangiri division of the AOBSZC

CM Naveen Patnaik claimed that law and order situation in the State remained peaceful and CPI-Maoist activities had been curtailed to a great extent. "The Left-wing extremism remains largely contained to few pockets in the state, such as in parts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Rayagada districts. The security forces have been successful in handling the rebels on all fronts," said CM Naveen. Giving a reply on the Home Department budget discussion, CM Naveen also said: "Altogether 39 rebels were neutralised during anti-Maoist operations in 2016. In a major success, 28 rebels were neutralised in the cut-off area of Malkangiri during anti-Maoist operation jointly planned by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh police." CM Naveen said recruitment to the CPI-Maoist organisation had dwindled and the mass support base of the Maoists had weakened because of proactive governance initiative and Police action. He also stated: "The overall crime situation in the state has remained under control. In 2016, no significant increase in cases has been registered in comparison to 2015."

Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres stormed into Daikallu railway station office in Rayagada District, and exploded a tiffin bomb inside it after dragging out the station master outside. "At least 15-20 armed Maoists arrived at the station at around 1.30 a.m. They first ransacked the office," said station master S.K. Parida. The Maoists then pulled the station staffs out of the office. Soon they triggered an explosion in the office and snatched away the walkie-talkie used by the Station Master, the statement of the East Coast Railway said. The Maoists left the station after 2 a.m. The window of the office and several properties were damaged in the explosion, sources said. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists also put up posters and banners of the CPI-Maoist protesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Odisha and appointment of non-Odia administrative and Police officers in the State.

The Odisha Government decided to intensify its anti-Maoist operation in the worst LWE affected areas of the State. The decision was taken during a unified command meet in Bhubaneswar (the states' capital) held under the chairmanship of State Chief Secretary A P Padhi. "Among other issues, we discussed the development of infrastructure in police stations, road and bridge connectivity in LWE-hit areas, intensifying joint operations against Maoists, deployment of force and sharing of information between states at the unified command meeting," DGP, Odisha, K B Singh said. Barring the Sunki Ghat blast incident in Koraput District, there has been noticeable decline in Maoist violence and incidents, Chief Secretary Padhi said adding, the recently concluded panchayat elections were comparatively peaceful in LWE-hit areas than the previous rural polls in 2012. "The Gurupriya Bridge connecting the cut-off area in Malkangiri District would be completed soon. This will improve connectivity to far flung areas and will also be helpful in carrying out operations," Padhi stated.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres shot dead a villager in Malkangiri District, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer'. The deceased has been identified as Raghu Hantal from Cheliamunda village under MV 79 Police Station limits in the District.

Maoists killed a GRS of Jantapali village under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District by slitting his throat. The deceased was identified as Jaga Rao. The Maoists had earlier threatened Jaga to leave his job. However, he didn't do so for which a group of Maoists stormed into his house during night, dragged him outside and murdered him by slitting his throat.

Nearly two dozen supporters of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Malkangiri District. 23 rebel supporters, including 11 women cadres, surrendered before the Police at Kalimela Police Station in the District. The surrendered include four militia members, sources said. All the 23 surrendered belong to Elakanur village under Kalimela Police limits. The villagers said that they were disillusioned by the Maoist ideology and wanted to join the mainstream.

The CPI-Maoist, once again issued fresh warnings to the people, especially tribals of Rayagada and neighbouring Districts in Odisha, through posters to oppose the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the State. Two such hand written materials in the name of Odisha State Committee of CPI-Maoist were found stuck on a tree at Sikarpai in Rayagada District. One of the posters read "Oppose Modi's visit to Odisha on April 14, 15 and his Land Acquisition Act". It also appealed to the people to oust Vedanta and save Niyamgiri hills. Another poster threatened the SFs against combing operations in the Maoist infested forests. The Maoists also alleged Rayagada SP, lured the tribal youths with money to become 'Police informers' and asked him to refrain from such activities."Rayagada SP should stop instigating tribal youths to become police informers", the poster mentioned.

As many as 15 armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a Government-run liquor shop at Raghubari village under Ambadola Police limits in Rayagada District. The Maoist also set a motorcycle ablaze which was parked in the liquor shop's premises and assaulted three of its staff. Some posters left by the Maoists at the spot mentioned that this move conveys opposition towards 'Operation Green Hunt' and called for a 'liquor-free Odisha'.

A banner, suspected to have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District. The banner threatened the elected representatives to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads, "Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him".

A banner, suspected to have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of CPI-Maoist cadres has surfaced at Nilabadi under Bandhugaon block in Koraput District. The banner threatened the elected representatives to stop the projects undertaken by Panchayat. It also reads, "Asish Senapati (son of ward member) is indulging in the liquor business thereby ruining the life of innocent tribals. Being aware of his business, the sarpanch has awarded him various project works. If he does not give up the works, we would eliminate him".

A gang of fake CPI-Maoist cadres was busted by Rayagada Police in Rayagada District. Eight members of the gang arrested are Trinath Mahanandia, Bali Majhi, Balaram Naik, Suresh Mahanandia, Bishikeshan Sahu, Mohan Sahu, Senapati Roy of JK Colony in Rayagada town and a woman, Sabitri Karkaria of Kalyansinghpur Block

A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist, Kantamani Hareka alias Padma, was killed in an exchange of fire between Police and CPI-Maoist cadres at the Lehri jungle on the borders of Koraput and Rayagada Districts. There was no report of any injury to Police personnel. Some items used by the CPI-Maoist cadres were recovered from the encounter spot. SP Charan Singh Meena, said, one civilian lady Mali Miniaka of Tudu Leleri was also found injured near the site of exchange of fire and was immediately taken to the hospital and was out of danger. Two live IED, SBML gun, Bharat Gun, detonator, walkie talkie and good number of Maoist literature and books were recovered from the encounter site.

Odisha Police have arrested eight supporters of CPI-Maoist on charges of killing the husband of a woman ward member candidate in the recently concluded Panchayat polls in Malkangiri District. The incident had taken place on February 2, 2017 at Bara village under Mathili block in the District. The arrested have been identified as Masa Madkami, Budra Madkami, Sahadeb Pujari, Maga Sodi, Narasingha Madhi, Manga Durua, Madhaba Durua and Motiram Sodi of Bara village.

The CPI-Maoist Rayagada Area Committee puts up five posters at different places at Parasali village in Rayagada. The posters mentioned opposition to Odisha Government and Government of India.

CPI-Maoist Koraput-Srikakulam Division puts up posters and erects red flags in more than hundred acres land at Katulpeta, Aalmanda Areas in Koraput District.

The Zilla Parishad chairman polls will be conducted on April 26 in Malkangiri District and Nuapada District, said a notification of SEC. Notably, the polls were not held for the Zilla Parishad chairman in Malkangiri and Nuapada Districts earlier. Earlier, the SEC had stayed polls in Chitrakonda I and II zones out of the total 13 Zilla Parishad zones in Malkangiri District after getting a joint report from the DC and SP regarding safety issues of the candidates, voters and election officials due to CPI-Maoist cadres.

The CPI-Maoist cadres issued a poster opposing the Lower Suktel project at Paradhiapali village in Balangir District. CPI-Maoist cadres, operating in the Gandhamardhan Hills, issued the warning to stop the ongoing construction of the project. The estimated cost of the project is around INR 11 billions.

The Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, the organisation that has been opposing bauxite mining in Odisha's Niyamgiri hills since 2003, strongly denied that it was working as a front organisation for the CPI-Maoist cadres in Rayagada and Kalahandi District. The organisation has been branded as frontal organisation of CPI-Maoist cadres in a MHA's report recently.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, Suna Wadeka alias Jibani, carrying cash reward of INR 100,000 surrendered before South-Western, DIG, S Shyni in Koraput District. Jibani said she was fed up with the torture and harassment of the senior CPI-Maoist cadres and decided to surrender. Jibani was involved in Sunki landmine blast that had occurred on February 2 this year killing seven Police personnel and injuring several in Koraput District.

Seven tribal families of Elkanur village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri District have left their native village, due to a threat by CPI-Maoist cadres. According to reports, members of the seven families, who were CPI-Maoist sympathisers, had recently surrendered before the Police expressing their unwillingness to support CPI-Maoist.

The BSF would provide two bullet-proof boats for patrolling in the cut-off Naxal affected areas in Odisha in three to four months, told BSF DG, KK Sharma in Bhubaneswar District. He further added that bullet-proof boats would not only intensify patrolling in the areas but also help in anti-Naxal operations.

Twenty armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed a villager, Pidika Ratnu, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer' at Pedaitiki village under Narayanpatna Block in Koraput District. A combing operation was intensified in the area by SFs after the incident

BSF in Malkangiri District launched massive combing operations for the CPI-Maoist cadres on the Andhra-Odisha Border. The Odisha Government has been utilising the services of the BSF forces in Malkangiri District for the anti-Naxal operations since seven years. The Malkangiri District alone is having around 15 BSF companies for Naxal operations. Maoists have Pappuluru LOS and Kalimela LOS in these areas.

A bandh call by PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, has affected road communication between Rourkela District and Jharkhand. The organisation, which the Police refer to as a criminal outfit, is protesting against both Jharkhand and Odisha Police intensifying operations against it.

Odisha Police has stepped up the patrolling and combing operations in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts, in the wake of the April 24 ambush on SFs by CPI-Maoist cadres in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh's Sukma District.

About 20-30 CPI-Maoist cadres barged into the Sudhakanda village and killed two villagers suspecting them to be 'Police informers' under Kalimela block in Malkangiri District. The deceased have been identified as Bisu Kirsani and Rama Padiami.

The CPI-Maoist cadres opened fire at SOG personnel engaged in combing operation in Samajhola reserve forest under Ambodola Police limits in Muniguda block of Rayagada District. After a brief spell of firing, the Red ultras escaped under the cover of darkness. The SFs seized 50 Kilograms of ammonia nitrate, one magazine of INSAS rifle, six live ammunitions, four bundles of electronic detonators (each having 25 detonators), medicines and other appliances from the spot.

CPI-Maoist and SFs were engaged in an exchange of fire near Jajespanga under Phiringia Police limits in Kandhamal District. According to Kandhamal SP, Pinaki Misra, the SFs were on their way to organise a Jana Sampark Sibira along with medicines and doctor. While they were passing the area, the Maoists fired at them. The SFs fired in retaliation and the Maoists escaped into the nearby forest. Police seized one country made SBML gun, empty cartridges and other materials from the spot which was supposedly serving as a camp of Maoists.

A tribal labourer Deba Madkami, a resident of Tamaguda, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri District suspecting him to be a 'police informer'. A group of armed Maoists stormed Tamaguda village and forcibly took away the man from his home at gunpoint accusing him to be a 'police informer', Police said. His body with the throat slit was found at the outskirts of the village, Police informed.

A brief exchange of fire took place between the SOG and Maoists in the dense Kurub forest in Kalimela area of in Malkangiri District. The Maoists fled the scene and no injury to anyone was reported, the Police said.

Personnel of SOG, DVF and CAPFs like BSF and CRPF have intensified combing operations in the Kuruba jungle under the Kalimela Police Station in Malkangiri District, after reports of infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh.

Personnel of SOG, DVF and CAPFs like BSF and CRPF have intensified combing operations in the Kuruba jungle under the Kalimela Police Station in Malkangiri District, after reports of infiltration of CPI-Maoist cadres from Chhattisgarh.

A woman cadre, identified as Rashmita Sikoka alias Kuni, and five militia members of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Police in Rayagada District. Rashmita was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head announced by the Odisha Government

The CPI-Maoist cadres torched two JCB machines and two tractors, being used for construction of roads under the PMGSY, in Majhigumandi and Uparagumandi villages of Koraput District. The CPI-Maoist cadres left behind posters warning against resumption of road construction in the area and asking villagers not to cooperate with the contractor

A woman cadre of CPI-Maoist, identified as Drimbili Jakesika alias Manjula (22), surrendered before Rayagada Police in Rayagada District. She was carrying INR 100,000 on her head.

Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Dibya alias Suna Hikka, the woman CPI-Maoist 'area committee member' of Koraput Divisional Committee from Narayanpatna, and Jaga alias Vanjam Jaga of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, surrendered before, DIG of Police (South West Range), S Shyni at Koraput District. Both CPI-Maoist cadres carried a reward of INR four million each.

State Police are set to intensify combing operations in the CPI-Maoist-dominated areas of Malkangiri and Koraput Districts, ahead of the onset of monsoon, which is expected to hit the State in mid-June. SFs step up efforts to flush out Maoists around this time before the rains hamper operations.

The Rayagada District and Sessions Judge Court in Rayagada District, awarded 10 years' RI to CPI-Maoist cadre Gembali Chinarao alias Santu in two cases. The court also slapped a penalty of INR 50,000 on him.

The Phulbani ADJ Court in Kandhamal District, rejected the bail plea of CPI-Maoist Sabyasachi Panda in the case of abduction of two Italian tourists. Notably, the two Italian tourists Paulo Bosusco (54) and Claudio Colangelo (61), had been abducted in March 2012, while trekking in Daringbadi in Kandhamal District.

A huge haul of explosives, including hand grenades and tiffin bombs, were recovered from CPI-Maoist hideout in a combing operation near Gandhamardhan hill in Bargarh District. The recoveries included hand grenade, tiffin bomb, 8 Kilogram gunpowder, arrows, LED lights, CPI-Maoist literature and uniforms.

A couple of CPI-Maoist cadres was suspected to have sustained fatal injuries, in an exchange of fire with Police, in Lunga Reserve Forest, under Mohulpada Police limits of Sundargarh District. A Maoist camp at the spot, close to Jharkhand border, was also dismantled leading to seizure of four LMG magazines, 200 rounds of live LMG ammunition, 8 rounds of .303 bullets and camp materials.

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted two villagers from Malkangiri District. CPI-Maoist cadres abducted them on the suspicion of them being 'Police informers'.

The CPI-Maoist posters were found in the Patnagarh area in Bolangir District. The posters with various demands issued by the BBM Maoist Division were found on the Kantabanji-Padmapur road at Gangasagar village. The banners were also found on the main gate of a school at the village. The posters in red cloth were written in Hindi language.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman cadre and a minor, surrendered before Rourkela Police in Sundargarh District. The CPI-Maoist cadres were identified as Phula Munda alias Gurubari (19) and Siddharth Lohar alias Bhima (28), while the name of the minor was withheld by the Police. Phula carried a reward of INR 0.1 million and Siddharth carried a reward of INR 0.5 million. The three were involved in several incidents of attacks on Police and the 2009 attack on National Aluminium Company Limited's mines at Damanjodi.

Thirty-one newly recruited constables of 9th IRB refused to join the service fearing the CPI-Maoist at Kalahandi District. The incident took place at the time of inaugural ceremony. In total 521 constables were selected to join the battalion in Kalahandi, 490 of them joined finally. B Radhika, ADG, State Armed Police, said the new recruits got jobs elsewhere. "Some of the selected candidates got jobs in other places, including army," Radhika told TOI.

District and Sessions Court Judge Ashant Das acquitted the eight accused in connection with Maoist attack Nayagarh District on 2008 in Odisha. The eight acquitted have spent over nine years in jail. According to the prosecution, the eight people were accused of being involved in the daring attack by CPI-Maoist on several Police establishments including the armoury and looting of weapons on the night of February 15, 2008. Those acquitted were Ranjit Sana of West Bengal, Asutosh Soren and Rabi Dulai of Jharkhand, Kamalakant Sethy and his wife Chandrabati Tukuruka of Ranapur, Kishore Jena of Delang in Puri and Bikram Mallick and Sushil Behera of Aska in Ganjam District, said special public prosecutor Brundaban Panda.

Two surrendered girl Maoists, whose whereabouts were not known and were being searched by their family, have been found staying and pursuing education at an orphanage in Bhubaneswar. As per Police records, Sindu alias Dipa and her sister Champa alias Rama surrendered before the Police in Rayagada District on March 17, 2011. Their father Sara Mandinga of Pipalapadar village in Koraput District claimed that he had no information about their whereabouts. Answering questions raised about mysterious 'disappearance' of two women Maoists - Champa and Sindu, IGP, Sanjeeb Panda, revealed that both of them are presently housed at SOS (Save Our Souls) village in Bhubaneswar.

CPI-Maoist 'commander' Gadda Nageswara Rao alias Chinnabbai (38), carrying INR 400,000 reward on his head, was killed in an exchange of fire between the SFs and Maoists at Kapatuti forest under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District, near to AOB region. Acting on a tip-off regarding presence of a Maoist camp in the forest, two teams of SF personnel led by the Malkangiri SP launched operations. Later, the Police-Maoists encounter occurred in which the Maoist was killed. Huge cache of explosives, including seven to eight rounds of bullets, a 9 mm pistol, Maoist literature and a kit bag has been seized from the encounter site after the gun battle, SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, said.

A SOG trooper was killed and six others were injured in a CPI-Maoist ambush near Khamankhol under Baliguda Police Station limits in Kandhamal District. The group of SOG personnel was returning in four vehicles after completion of an anti-Maoist operation based on intelligence reports, when the last vehicle in the motorcade was targeted at the jungle ghat road near Khamankhol. The hiding Maoists fired heavily at the vehicle carrying the SOG troopers leading to an exchange of fire for around one hour occurred at the spot between the SOG personnel and Maoists, in which the SOG trooper was killed. The martyred trooper has been identified as Laxmikant Jani of Kalahandi District and among the critically injured are H.N Tamang, S. Orange and Driver Niranjan Behera.

SFs recovered explosives from Baliguda area of Kandhamal District. The recovery comes a day after the ambush between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs that claimed the life of a SOG trooper and injured seven other troopers. SFs recovered gelatin sticks, wires, tin sheets, empty bullet cases, polythene and Maoist uniforms.

Rama Kawasi alias Ashok (38) and his wife Weli Madkami alias Malati (25), cadres of the CPI-Maoist, surrendered at the District Police Office in Malkangiri District. The couple was carrying INR 500,000 and INR 400,000 on their heads respectively as announced by the Odisha Government. Ashok was working as a DCM with the Boipariguda Area Committee of MKVB division under the AOBSZC since 2002. On the other, Malati was a native of Badtekguda village under Kalimela Police limits and involved in at least five murder cases, blasting of Podia new Block Office building in 2013 and exchanges of fire. She was working as a member of Boipariguda Area Committee of MKVB Division under the AOBSZC since 2006. They cited torturing of local tribal cadres by the CPI-Maoist leaders from Andhra Pradesh and mindless killing of the innocent people in the name of 'Police informers' as the principal reason to surrender.

Hundreds of slogan-shouting tribals belonging to 30 villages held a massive rally at Populuru in Malkangiri District, protesting against the killing of a CPI-Maoist leader Chinnabai in an encounter by the Police. The tribals alleged that Chinnabai who had surrendered was murdered by the Police. However, Malkangiri SP, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra told, "We have information that the Maoists have issued a press release claiming that it was a fake encounter. This is completely false. It was actually an incident of exchange of fire in which the Police had fired in self defense. In the incident a cadre Maoist was killed."

The CPI-Maoist cadres threatened founder of KISS and KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, to punish him in the Praja Court for allegedly working against Maoist organisation in name of providing education to tribals in Odisha. In a poster reportedly put up by the CPI-Maoist on the wall of Koraput District branch of KISS premises at Kakiriguma, the Maoists alleged Samanta of working along with Police towards weakening the Maoist organisation in name of providing education to tribal children in KISS. "While we are opposing the government's policies, you are inviting the ministers. If you do not stop doing this, you will be punished in the Praja court," the banner read. Kakiriguma Police later seized the poster.

Rourkela Police arrested a leader of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Dharamjit Singh, in Sundargarh District. Dharamjit was involved in many CPI-Maoist activities in Odisha and was in the Police's list of most wanted CPI-Maoist leaders.

Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh, met Jawans injured in the recent CPI-Maoist cadres attack at MKCG Hospital in Ganjam District. Singh urged the CPI-Maoist cadres to shun violence and join the mainstream. He also attended a "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" event in Ganjam.

CPI-Maoist Korukonda Area Committee leader Ramana has claimed that the Government has been falsely accusing Maoists of opposing development works like electrification, drinking water and education projects in Malkangiri District. In a release to media persons in Malkangiri, he demanded power supply to all the villages under the newly-formed Chitrakonda block and alleged that health services are in disarray. He stated there are no health workers or anganwadi centres and schools in the villages causing hardship to the villagers. Some miscreants disconnected electricity supply at Hatguda and once the culprits are identified, their case would be decided in praja court, he wrote in the letter. Further, the Maoist leader assured that they will never obstruct any development works.

The State and the Central Police Forces would work unitedly to curb CPI-Maoist menace in Odisha and its bordering areas, was discussed at a high level meeting held at Koraput District under the chairmanship of IB Director, Rajeev Jain. The main objective of the meeting was to focus on collaborative efforts on sharing intelligence inputs involving the Police Forces of both Chhattisgarh and Odisha and the Central agencies besides, strengthening coordination between Police departments of all Maoist-affected areas. Maoist violence in Koraput, Nuapada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur Districts bordering Chhattisgarh was discussed at the meeting. Sources said Police would conduct air strikes on Maoist camps in areas bordering Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

An armed woman CPI-Maoist cadre surrendered before Police in Rourkela in Sundargarh District. The surrendered Maoist has been identified as Muli Nayak alias Arti (22), hailing from Jharkhand. She was active on Odisha-Jharkhand border, Police sources said. When Arti was 13 years of age, she was abducted by a person who encouraged her to work for Maoists and she did so. She was trained with INSAS assault rifles, AK-47, SLR, .303 rifles and other weapons. Realising that the Maoists have deviated from their ideals, she decided to leave the organisation. Besides, physical and sexual assault on her was also the reason behind her decision.

The Rourkela Police along with DVF and CRPF in a joint search operation found large quantities of arms and ammunitions from a CPI-Maoist camp in the Lunga Reserve Forest under the Mahulpada Police Station in Sundargarh District. The joint team found a 12-bore SBML gun, a PIR Rugan, two country-made pistols, two INSAS bayonets, 20 rounds of 8mm ammunitions, 12 rounds of 350 ball ammunitions, 4 rounds 12 bore cartridge, 20 rounds .303-ball ammunitions, 24 rounds of 5.56-ball ammunitions, eight Maoist literatures, 20 kilograms of explosives, 10 meter of codex wires, 68 detonators and two walkie-talkies.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set three earth excavators on fire at Darliput village under Lamtaput block in Koraput District. The three machines were completely damaged in the fire, Police said. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists left a poster on the behalf of Srikakulam-Koraput division of the Maoists, alleging in the poster that the residents of the area are not getting basic facilities while contractors from Bihar are duping lakhs of rupees in the construction works in the region.

A woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Deogarh District. Sabitri Murmu alias Kuni (18) hailing from Krushnapur village under the Telkoi Police limits in Keonjhar District, surrendered before the Deogarh SP, Sarah Sharma, saying that she and other women Maoist cadres were tortured by senior Maoist cadres. Kuni, who used to operate in the Kalinga Nagar division of the CPI-Maoist since 2008 and was an aide of Maoist leader Sushil alias Basanta, was involved in the abduction of ASI Umesh Marandi at Daitari of Keonjhar District in 2010. Kuni was involved in a gun battle between the Maoists and the SFs at Tikarpada under Kaliapani Police limits in Jajpur District in 2011, used to recruit poor tribal youths from Deogarh, Jajpur, Angul, Rourkela and Keonjhar as part of the Maoists' membership drive. She was also involved in cases of extortion from businessmen, industrialists and contractors.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Dharamjeet Singh (42), who has an expertise in planting landmines and was hiding for the last six years, surrendered before Rourkela Police in Sundargarh District. Singh of Karda village under Chandiposh Police limits in the District was inducted into the Maoist outfit in 2008 by slain 'area commander' of Saranda Sub-Divisional Committee, Sameer Xalxo. Singh had also worked under the Maoist group, led by Anmol Hembram, and was active along Odisha-Jharkhand border. During 2011, he had secretly quit the outfit and fled to Punjab in search of opportunities. He recently returned to his village and was motivated to give up arms. Police said he was recently tracked and convinced by local Police and CRPF personnel to quit the outfit. He was disillusioned with the Maoist ideology, killing and exploitation of innocent tribal villagers.

A wanted CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested by the State Crime Branch in Pattangi in Koraput District. Mabadi Pandi, carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on his head and who is suspected to be involved in the Sunki landmine explosion in the District was arrested in Pattangi. Pandi is a resident of Kanta area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Eight State Police personnel were killed when their vehicle was blown up by Maoists in a landmine blast on NH 26 near Sunki on February 2, 2017.

July 13

SFs of Odisha will intensify combing operations to arrest elusive CPI-Maoist 'commander' Akkiraju Haragopal aka Ramakrishna aka RK. Ramakrishna, who heads the AOBSZC of the Maoists, is believed to be injured in a gunfight with a joint team of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Police in Malkangiri on October 24, 2016. "He may try to move out of his hideout, taking advantage of rains. This is the chance to catch him," Koraput SDPO, Jagannath Rao said. In Odisha, Koraput and Malkangiri Districts have been the main theatres of his activities. "He is cunning as a fox and a master strategist. If we take him out, it will be a body blow to the Maoist movement," said a Police officer. Ramakrishna's grip over the Maoists active in Odisha became firmer following the arrest of top Odia Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda from Berhampur in July 2014.

July 16

Tribal youths are lured by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist as the State Government has failed to address the problem of poverty, said tribal leader from Bargarh District, Pramod Kumar Jhankar, in Koraput District. Speaking at the State-level tribal community leaders' meeting organised jointly by OAKM and NBHOA on Tribal Museum premises in Koraput, he said the rural youths must be weaned away from the Maoists. The Maoists create hurdles in implementation of different welfare schemes, he said. Chief Secretary of OAKM Niranjan Bisahi said while the State Government claims that about 20,000 posts meant for tribals are lying vacant, steps must be taken to educate and provide proper training to the tribal youths. During the meeting, it was decided to form an AOABSS to take up tribal issues. The forum would launch agitations across the State, informed Bharat Bhusan, convener of NBHOA.

The Police and DVF discovered huge cache of arms and ammunition of the CPI-Maoist from a forest in Turekela in Balangir District. SP, K Siva Subramani said on a tip off an operation was launched in Maoist dominated area. "The ammunition and other Maoist materials were found at an old camp deserted by the Maoists. The ammunition was recovered," he said. The recovered items include two boxes stashed with explosives, an empty explosive container, 62 gelatine sticks used in explosives, five kilograms of urea, electric wire, two Maoist books, 18 syringes, 10 banners, two shawls, battery slips, salt and pants and trousers. Notably, Turekela, Patnagarh and Khaprakhol block in the District are known for Maoist menace.

A few hand written CPI-Maoist posters were found put up on trees at Sindgilipadar, Bimalapadar, Barabandha, Belgaon villages under M. Rampur Police Station in Kalahandi District. The posters in the name of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI-Maoist urged the people to come forward against Police forces. "Protest Police action against innocent tribals and initiate a mass movement against the Police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha," the posters read. The Maoists also asked the Police to withdraw their forces and camp set up forcefully on the tribal land at Uraladhani in the District.

Police personnel arranged the wedding of two surrendered Maoists with traditional festivities in Malkangiri District. The couples, Deba Madhi alias Raghu and Soni Madkami alias Radha, were key members of the Kalimela Dalam of the CPI-Maoist active in Malkangiri District.

The Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the CPI-Maoist had put posters on a tree in Kalahandi District. The poster urged people for a mass movement against Police encounter at Bilabaru and Gumudumaha.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have resumed putting posters and banners at Podapadar Panchayat office and on Janjabati river bank in Koraput District. In a latest poster, the CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to people to extend support to the Martyr's Week from July 28 to August 3. They asked the tribals to take the revolution forward against the 'dictatorial government'.

CPI-Maoist cadres appealed to the people to observe Martyr's Week from July 28 to August 3 through a banner that appeared at Talagumandi village in Koraput District. The banner in the name of Koraput-Srikakulam division asked the tribals to pay homage to slain 31 cadres of CPI-Maoist in the Police encounter in Chhattisgarh in October, 2016.

Banners and posters of the CPI-Maoist were recovered from Mandosil village of Sindhekela Gram Panchayat under Paikmal block and Debrigarh jungle under Attabira block in Bargarh District. The CPI-Maoist cadres urged local people to celebrate their "Shahid Week' from July 28 to August 3 and protest anti-politician and anti-social works of the Centre and State Government. They have threatened that company raj would not be tolerated in the State. The leaflets mentioned the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) Divisional committee of the CPI-Maoist.

Odisha Police have tightened security in Naxal-hit areas across Malkangiri District with the CPI-Maoist cadres beginning Martyrs' Week from July 27.

A group of 10 to 20 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted three tribals of Tandipadar village in Temurupalli Panchayat under Maithili Police limits in Malkangiri District. The identity of the villagers has not been ascertained, reason behind the abduction is also not known yet. Malkangiri Police have not confirmed the incident.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested by Police on the eve of Martyr's week at Semliguda in Koraput District. He has been identified as Rupra Jani (28) of Upar Kanti village and was working for Nandapur Area Committee of the Maoists. Jani was involved with the Maoists for the last three years in the area and he had accompanied them to kill a 'Police informer' last year. Police seized AK-47,9mm pistol, banners, posters related to Maoists from his possession.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist are carrying out their Jana Sampark Abhiyaan (Public Relations Drive) at nearby forest villages under Ambavona block of Bargarh District on the occasion of their celebration of Martyrs' Week from July 28 to August 3. In their public relations drive, they have conducted a series of meetings with the public and appealed them to join hands with them. They wanted to know from the locals about the corrupt officials, politicians and contractors and present situation of the block. In the interim, combing operations have been launched at the forest areas under Ambavona Police Station limits. The concerned villagers expressed happiness where as the corrupted officers, politicians and contractors are a scared lot after hearing the CPI-Maoist cadres' presence in the block.

Odisha Government demanded SRE of nearly INR 2.80 billion for Naxal-infested Districts in the State. Chief Secretary of Odisha Government, AP Padhi told reporters that the SRE is due from Centre since last two years. Simultaneously, State Government requested the GoI to upgrade Internet connectivity and banking facilities in the two Naxal affected Districts of Koraput and Malkangiri. The State Government put forth its proposals during a video-conference with the Union Cabinet Secretary.

CPI-Maoist activities in Odisha has gone down sharply and out of 35 most LWE affected Districts in the Country, only two Districts, Koraput and Malkangiri find place in the list released by the UMHA. While about 95 per cent of violence by LWEs is reported from 35 Districts of seven States, Odisha shares only 8.2 per cent, which confirms the trend. In the latest report of the UMHA on Maoist activities in the country, while Chhattisgarh records the highest of 37.6 per cent LWE violence cases, Jharkhand share 31 per cent of the total LWE violence reported across the country. Odisha stood far behind the two neighbouring States with just 8.2 per cent. In Chhattisgarh 8 and in Jharkhand 16 Districts are most LWE affected Districts, while Maoist activities is confined mostly to Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Khammam in Telengana. Among these States, Odisha leads in conducting more number of Unified Command Meetings to review Maoist Menace and Development. While Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand face larger degree of Maoist violence, in the recent months both the States have failed to conduct Unified Command Meetings while Odisha conducted four meetings of Unified Command to tackle the ultras. State Police is acting in tandem with Central Para-military Forces and an apex Level Multi Disciplinary Group has been put in place tackle the Left Wing rebels.

Odisha has asked the UMHA for two more battalions of CRPF forces to be deployed in bordering Districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as these areas are porous and ultras keep sneaking into the State since there is more presence of CAFs in both the two States.

A group of 50 armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed Nandapur Sarpanch, Jaga Khara, by slitting his throat at Hatibari village under Padua Police limits in Koraput District. The CPI-Maoist cadres alleged him as 'Police informer'. According to reports, the armed Maoists barged into the house of Khara when he was asleep and dragged him outside and later killed him by slitting his throat. Before fleeing the spot, the Maoists set ablaze a tractor, a car and a jeep of the Sarpanch besides leaving a handwritten letter near the body.

The Odisha Police has decided to form BDDS at range levels while constituting Anti-Sabotage Check Teams (ASCT) in each District. The State Police Headquarters at Bhubaneswar District has come out with an official order for formation of dedicated units at all police range including Koraput, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Cuttack, Balasore, Angul and Police Commissionerate Bhubaneswar-Cuttack. Presently, there are two apex BDDS functioning under the Security Wing of the Special Branch. Similarly, there are trained personnel at District levels too. In fact, each of the LWE-affected Districts has its own BDDS which is employed to sweep the areas during anti-Naxal operations. However, in other Districts, though trained manpower is available, no special unit has been formed as yet.

The Odisha Government has approached and urged the UMoRD for more funds under MNREGA as there is more demand for daily jobs in the tribal-dominated LWE zones. While 19 Districts are affected by Maoists in Odisha, the UMHA has identified Malkangiri and Koraput as "Most LWE Affected Districts" among the 35 Districts of the country, where Maoists are most active. Further, funds sought for RRP-II are yet to be sanctioned, though; the UMHA has favored such proposal long back. Once sanctioned, Odisha is expected to receive over INR 6 billion under RRP II and major roads in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are to be covered.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition of the CPI-Maoist were seized by BSF personnel in Malkangiri District. The security personnel deployed in Badapada under Chitrakonda cut-off area were tipped off about presence of Maoists in a camp at Bandhuguda forest area. BSF DIG (Intelligence), JC Nayak said when the jawans raided the forest; they found the Maoist camp near a nullah. However, before they could reach the spot, the Maoists fled. During search, BSF personnel found four SBML guns and two barrels, over a 100 round of ammunition, Maoist literature, radio set and uniforms from the camp. DIG Nayak added that the Maoist camp was set up to attack the BSF jawans deployed in the area for Gurupriya Bridge work.

Two families of the village under Nandapur block have left Hatibari fearing violence by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Koraput District. The families of Bibhisan Pangi and Manoj Kumar have shifted to Padwa following the killing of Sarpanch Jagannath Khora on August 7. Koraput, SP, KV Singh said Police have intensified combing in the area and asked villagers not to panic.

An exchange of fire ensued between CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs at Gandhamardhan hills near Khaprakhol in Balangir District. Acting on a tip-off about presence of Maoists, CRPF and SOG troopers launched operation in Gandhamardhan hills last night, informed Balangir SP, K. Siva Subramani. There were no reports of any casualties in the encounter.

Maoist's posters urging people to refrain from celebrating Independence Day were found at a ghat in Chandahandi near Umerkote under Jhorigaon Police limits in Nabarangpur District. They (Maoists) appealed to the people to observe August 15 as a black day. A day before, on August 13, Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of CPI-Maoist released an audio tape with same appeal. Through the audio, Maoist spokesperson Budhuram Paharia urged people to hoist black flags instead of the Tricolour on August 15, alleging rise of unlawful activities and torture on tribal people in State. "Independence Day is being celebrated only for namesake," the Maoist leader said in the audio.

An 'assistant commandant' of the CPI-Maoist identified as Somey Sodhi (33), surrendered in Malkangiri District. According to Police, she was the second in command of Boipariguda area committee of Malkangiri-Koraput-Vizag (MKV) Border division under AOBSZC. Sodhi hails from Edikonda village in the District and was carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on her head. She was allegedly involved in several incidents of murder, including killing of two BSF personnel at Kaliajodi forest in 2016, blasting of a vehicle carrying SOG personnel at Mantriam in 2010, exchange of fire with SFs and setting ablaze mobile phone towers.

Three militia cadres of Nandapur Division of the CPI-Maoist were arrested by the Police in Koraput District. The arrested cadres were identified as Biswanath Hantal, Sahadev Hantal, and Ghanu Sisa. The arrested cadres were allegedly involved in Maoist activities, basically organized meetings in tribal villages for the outlawed outfit, Police said.

A top leader of the CPI-Maoist, Duna Keshav Rao wrote to Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asking him to rehabilitate him under the State's policy of bringing LWEs into the mainstream. Rao is accused in several cases of violence including the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati in June 2008. Rao is also accused in at least 10 cases in Odisha and has been under judicial custody since June 2011.

Anti-Naxal operations of Odisha Police are all set to go hi-tech as the State Government has decided to purchase a number of modern equipment, including UAVs at the cost of nearly INR 1.5 million. An UAV receiver station and operational control room will be set up to collect the real, vapour tracer, thermal monocular and contraband busters for the first time to keep tabs on movement of Naxals. The SAP for modernisation of Police Force in 2017-18, copy of which is with The Times of India, revealed that nearly INR 43.7 million will be spent for purchase of equipment to boost anti-Naxal exercise. The UMHA, on August 22, approved the SAP for modernisation of Police force at a cost of total INR 317.5 million this fiscal year. The scheme is funded both by the Central and State Governments on 60:40 basis.

The DG of CRPF, Rajiv Ranjan Bhatnagar met CM, Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, and expressed his satisfaction over the efforts of the Odisha Police in anti-Naxal activities. The DG, RR Bhatnagar said that the cadres of the CPI-Maoist are drawing new strategies to challenge SFs and attempting to halt various development works in the bordering Districts. The CRPF is making elaborate strategic arrangements to counter the plan of the LWEs. Odisha DGP, KB Singh said, "We also discussed on redeployment of paramilitary forces with a change in strategy in certain corridors and areas like Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Malkangiri and Koraput."

A joint team of BSF and Police busted a camp of CPI-Maoist in Malkangiri District. SFs recovered explosive materials including 27 gelatine sticks and around 100 detonators and several rounds of ammunition of AK-47 assault rifle and other weapons.

A family of Jantri village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District had to leave their home after cadres of the CPI-Maoist threatened them to leave. According to reports, the CPI-Maoist cadres at a Praja court held at the village suspected Sana Pangi as a 'Police informer' and asked him to leave the place along with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. The CPI-Maoist cadres also alleged that Sana's son, who stays and works in Andhra Pradesh, is also passing information to Police about the movement of CPI-Maoist cadres.

Two Naxal posters were found pasted on the walls of the Loipada Ashram School and the Thriveni Security Camp at Rugudi in Keonjhar District. The posters carried messages of threatening to Police, industrialists and others. Police recovered the posters which were apparently issued by the PLFI 'area commander' Sureya and 'zonal committee head' Arjun Rana. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The cadres of CPI-Maoist, who used to get money from mines operators, engineering colleges and real estate owners in Odisha to fund their activities, have once again reverted to their old practice of Ganja (Cannabis) cultivation to raise funds. As per sources, the CPI-Maoist cadres have restarted extending their patronization to Ganja cultivators and peddlers in Districts such as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Boudh, Gajapati, Nabarangpur, Angul, Sambalpur and Deogarh. The hilly terrain and dense forests of these districts serve as ideal ground for ganja cultivators and peddlers. An excise department official said, once the crop is harvested, the Maoists send the ganja West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and New Delhi with the assistance of experienced peddlers.

SFs are planning to launch a drive against the CPI-Maoist with special focus on the border Districts of Malkangiri and Koraput. The decision to intensify the operation against the Maoists was taken following the meeting between CM Naveen Patnaik and the DG of the CRPF, Rajeev Bhatnagar, in Bhubaneswar on August 28. In the meeting, Bhatnagar had reportedly stressed the need for a joint offensive by State Police and Paramilitary Forces against Maoists entering Odisha from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Malkangiri and Koraput Districts are in focus in anti-Maoist drives mainly because of the fact that these two Districts share long borders with the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh which also have a strong Maoist base. Among other Districts where SFs are expected to step up operations are Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Balangir. The Maoists have already been well entrenched in Rayagada and Kandhamal, while they are trying their best to get a foothold in Kalahandi and Balangir, said a Police officer.

With a motive to win hearts and minds of innocent people especially in tribal dominated Naxal-hit areas of Odisha, CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs, both have taken to a novel and revolutionary approach other than gun battle to woo locals. A film recently released by Bastar Division of Maoists in a village on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border showed alleged Police brutality in the name of security. The SFs have also been showing videos to tribals portraying positive side of rebels who have shunned violence and joined mainstream.

The District & Sessions Court of Rayagada District acquitted Sabyasachi Panda, OMP 'chief' and former Secretary of the Odisha State Organising Committee of the CPI-Maoist, in two murder cases. District & Sessions Judge Biswajit Das acquitted Panda on grounds of lack of evidence on the basis of statements of 14 witnesses, court sources said. There are as many as 134 cases against Panda in different Police Stations across the State.

New posters of the CPI-Maoist released in the name of the BGN Divisional Committee surfaced on the walls of the panchayat office at the Ichhapur village of the Muniguda block in Rayagada District. Some of the posters were seen with messages appealing the State Government to make immediate arrangements for relief and rescue of flood-affected people in Kalahandi and Rayagada Districts. The Maoists of BGN Divisional Committee have also sought pucca houses for flood victims under various welfare schemes like Biju Pucca Ghara and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Advocating for the environmental preservation, the Maoists have also demanded a ban on the growth of the mining, tree-felling and other deforestation activities. With special focus on the development of the people in Karlapata area in the District, a demand has also been made for the upgradation of healthcare and educational infrastructure in the area.

The new DGP of Odisha, R P Sharma, said that the infrastructural issue is a major challenge in the anti-Naxal operation as Naxals change their strategy keeping eye on the force movement. Sharma added, "Maoists are adopting new strategy and create fresh corridors at various places. Depending on the movement of the Naxals the security forces also should move accordingly and establish themselves in new areas." Sharma took charges as the new DGP recently and was attending a review meeting with IGs of CRPF and BSF. In the meeting, Sharma said that anti-Naxal operations will be intensified especially in the inter-state border regions. So, we will request the Union Government of India to provide two additional Battalions of CAPF for deployment on inter-state borders. The State Government of Odisha has been demanding deployment of additional central forces as their number in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand is more than 100 Battalions. At present, 16 battalions of central forces have been deployed in the state, out of which eight are from the CRPF and one from the CoBRA unit.

Maoist posters were recovered after getting information from villagers in Trilochanpur village under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi District. The Maoist posters warned suspected 'Police informers' in the area of dire consequences. The posters put up on mango trees categorically mentioned the Niyamgiri area and dubbed it as the property of tribals. It also cautioned the Kalahandi and Rayagada Police against visiting the Niyamgiri area claiming that the Policemen are perpetrating brutalities on the innocent tribals. The Maoists posters warned all locals against cooperating with the Police for which they could risk death in Kangaroo courts.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and two jawans of the SOG sustained injuries in an encounter between the Maoists and the SF personnel in the Daka forested area near Barakhamma village under Baliguda Police limits in Kandhamal District. The slain woman Maoist was identified as Banila, a native of Gariabandh District of Chhattisgarh, an 'area committee member' of the CPI-Maoist, carrying a cash reward of INR 400,000 on her head, and was with the KKBN Division of the outfit. The SFs also recovered one .303 rifle with magazine, 13 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, a camera flash, Maoist literature, maps, utility items and cash of INR 4,000 from the encounter site.

Odisha DGP, R P Sharma said more SFs would be deployed in the CPI-Maoist affected Kandhamal District. While attending a review meeting, Sharma took the decision after reviewing Maoist activities in the KKBN division of the CPI-Maoist. He also stated that CPI-Maoist cadres are taking the geographical advantage of Kandhamal District to expand their activities. The District is densely forested and surrounded by hills. Sharma stressed on deployment of CRPF, DVF and SOG in a strategic manner.

Around 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres barged into Murelguda village under Chitrakonda block in search of their 'convict' in Malkangiri District. Ramachandra Sisa, the 'convict', was handed to death sentence in a Praja court last week deep inside a forest for defying their (Maoists) sermon. The members of the Kalimela Dalam headed by Maoist leader Ranadev forced into the house of Sisa and when they failed to extract any information about him, they set Sisa's two-wheeler on fire. The rebels also terrorised the villagers while enquiring about their convict. Sisa in the meanwhile is running for life after he escaped from the Praja court.

One woman Maoist was killed in an encounter with SFs in a forest area in Kalahandi District. The encounter took place when personnel of the SOG and the Police on a combing operation came across a group of Maoists inside the forest in Bijepur area. While the body of the woman Maoist was found after the gun-battle, the other members of the group fled the site; he said adding some articles including four weapons - an INSAS rifle, one SLR and two rifles - were recovered from the site. The Maoists belonged to Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagavali (BGN) division of the CPI-Maoist.

Hand-written posters and banners of the CPI-Maoist were found at Gudighat village in Titlagarh area in Balangir District. The posters and banners mentioning the name of Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) division of the CPI-Maoist demanded announcement of the area as drought-hit while opposing the Operation Green Hunt launched by the MHA and the State government. Police officials visited the area after locals informed them about the banners and posters put up at the forest beat office, panchayat office, bazaar and in the premises of the local hospital.

A youth, Pilku Khara, fled home after the CPI-Maoist cadres threatened him to join their organisation or face punishment in the Kangaroo court in Malkangiri District on September 9. Pilku belongs to Luchapani village under Chitrakonda Block of the District. Sources said he has now moved to Chitrakonda leaving behind his mother, wife and son in the village. Apprehending further problems, Pilku has planned to bring his family to Chitrakonda to stay with him. Malkangiri District SP, Jagmohan Meena, said the Police was verifying the claim of the Pilku about the Maoist threat to him and will protect him if the threat is genuine.

A threat from the cadres of the CPI-Maoist forced a family from Paparmetla Palem village and take shelter in cut-off areas of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District. Ten members of the family of Kamal Khila took the decision as the CPI-Maoist cadres branded their son working outside the State as a 'Police Informer'. Malkangiri SP, Jagmohan Mina, told that the Police after verifying the identity of the people will be provided shelter. Mina also said all the villagers have temporarily settled behind the Chitrakonda Police Station.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist damaged Essar Steel's 273-Kilometre iron ore slurry pipeline from Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam District in Andhra Pradesh near AOB. The pipeline is critical for Essar's Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, bringing 22,000 tonnes of iron ore daily from state miner NMDC's Bailadila mines in Dantewada District to the plant with annual capacity of eight million tonnes. Jagmohan Meena, SP of Malkangiri District in Odisha, said told ET that, "A company mechanic is on his way to fix it, but there is no conclusive evidence yet that Maoists have broken it."

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, were killed in a Police encounter in Salepali forest under Paikmal block in Bargarh District. Acting on a tip off, SFs had launched a combing operation in the forest. The two cadres were gunned down in an exchange of fire between Police and the Maoists. Police recovered two .303 rifles, 105 rounds of live bullets and INR 20,000 from the deceased Maoists.

A huge cache of ammunitions, guns and explosives were seized from a CPI-Maoist camp after an exchange of fire between the Maoists and the SFs in the Dangateka Reserve Forest in Kisinda in Sambalpur District. As many as 484 rounds of live bullets, two rusted metallic portions of .303 rifles, a hand grenade (live), a sealed tiffin bomb (live), a tiffin bomb without detonator, fourteen .303 magazine catches and a canvas ammunition pouch were seized, Police sources said. According to reports, Kisinda Police officials spotted the Maoist camp while conducting a search operation in the forest with the Rourkela DVF.

Anti-Maoist operations would be intensified in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri District and the border areas of Odisha along Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh as the areas are in prime focus, said BSF ADG, Arun Kumar. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, the State capital, Kumar said, "We are planning to fill security gaps in the cutoff areas of Malkangiri and Tulsi Dongri of Chhattisgarh to cause maximum damage to the Red rebels. Accordingly, we are planning operations in those particular areas. Communications in the cutoff areas is a major problem. Recently, the Central Government has allotted Rs 25 crore for upgradation of infrastructure in these areas. This has boosted the morale of the forces." Besides, he informed that a meeting on BSF would be held soon in Visakhapatnam which would be attended by top officers of SFs.

An 18-year-old woman CPI-Maoist identified as Chitren Pangi of Malkangiri District surrendered before Odisha Police in Koraput District. Chitren was an active member of Guma area committee of AOBSZC, operating in Chitrakonda and Machkund area in Malkangiri District. According to Police, Chitren had joined the outlawed CPI-Maoist in May 2017 after being instigated by a few local Maoist leaders. Soon she became an active member of Sudhir's group. A senior official informed that Chitren was a member of the CNM and was also trained as 'team doctor'. She also had knowledge of different medicines and during her brief stint with the Maoists, Chitren had helped the Maoists in collecting local intelligence about the presence of the SFs in Guma area. "Chitren became disillusioned soon after joining the Maoists group and left the party. She was also fed up with the anti-people attitude of the group and unjustified violence against people," SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said.

Seven cadres of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were arrested by the Police during a combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station in Sundargarh District. According to the Police, on getting information about the presence of PLFI extremists in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station on September 29 last, an operation was launched. About 10 to 15 armed LWEs were found moving in the forest. However, only four of them could be arrested. Based on the interrogation of these members, another three cadres were arrested. Pinak Mishra, SP, Sundargarh, said, of the seven PLFI identified extremists, three each hail from Odisha and Jharkhand while one is from Assam. The Sundargarh Police identified one of them as Arjun Rana alias Kapil Pathak, who is the 'zonal committee member' of PLFI for Odisha-Jharkhand. A .9 mm carbine machine gun, three .9 mm double bore barrel guns, two .9 mm pistols and 37 rounds of live ammunition were seized from them.

The city based SDJM court in Rourkela of Sundargarh District, allowed the Biramitrapur Police to take the four arrested cadres of the PLFI, including former BSF Assistant Commandant Jadumani Patra, on a two-day remand. Patra allegedly used to train members of the rebel group on the use of sophisticated weapons at different centres of the organisation. The other arrested PLFI cadres are Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) employee Manu Kujur, 'zonal committee member' Arjun Rana alias Kapil Pathak and 'area commander' Karan Sai. The cadres were arrested by the Police during a combing operation in Khukhundbahal forest under the Biramitrapur Police Station in Sundargarh District on October 1. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Imra Kabasi, from Bapanapalli under Padia Police limits in Malkangiri District. According to reports, the Maoists dragged Imra to the nearby forest and slit his throat. The Maoists suspected Imra as a 'Police informer'.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have gunned down a person, identified as Dambaru Nayak, after a 'praja court' trial at Kurub village under Kalimela Police limits in Malkangiri District. Dambaru was shot dead by the Maoists on the charges of being 'Police informer'. According to reports, nearly 20 to 25 armed Maoists had come to the village and dragged Dambaru out of his home. Later, after branding him as a 'Police informer', they killed him before other villagers. Dambaru was earlier a Maoist sympathizer and had later surrendered before Police around two years ago.

CPI-Maoist posters calling for Odisha bandh on October 21 was recovered at Radiguma village under Kotagarh tehsil in Kandhamal District. The posters released in the name of CPI-Maoist Odisha State Committee and put up near the Radiguma-Kotagarh road categorically warned the Odisha Government against providing water to industrial houses. Maoists had demanded water for farmers and appealed to the Chhattisgarh Government to stop barrage construction work on the upstream of Mahanadi immediately. Giving an Odisha bandh call on October 21 against the anti-people policies of the State and Central Governments, the Maoists appealed to people to join the bandh in large numbers.

Spokesperson of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, Jagabandhu, in an audio tape released to media, denied role of its cadres in the gang rape of a minor at Sorispadar forest near Kunduli Haat under Pottangi Police limits in Koraput District on October 10. The CPI-Maoist strongly condemned the incident and called for Koraput bandh on October 16, in protest against the atrocity of the SF personnel on innocent villagers.

The Police arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres while carrying out combing operations at Elkanur forest in Malkangiri District. The arrested cadres who are yet to be identified are suspected for the killing of Dambrudhar Nayak, former ward member of remote Kurub village under Kalimela block in the District on October 7 on suspicion of being a 'police informer'. Dambrudhar, who was a member of the CPI-Maoist, had quit the outfit a couple of months back and engaged himself in road construction works as a petty contractor.

The CPI-Maoist cadres hijacked a motor launch and took its driver hostage in the cut-off region of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri District, when the vessel was on its way to Kunturpadar carrying grocery items for the IRB forces. While the launch was about four kilometres from its destination, a group of 30 to 40 armed Maoists led by Koraput Dalam 'chief' Sudhir and other leaders like Anil and Sarita hijacked it near Kathagada village and took it to Orapadar. The Maoists took the driver, Ghasi Pangi, hostage for some hours and later assaulted him for allegedly carrying the grocery items for Para-military personnel before setting him free. A native of Kathagada village, the launch driver was also warned by the Maoists not to help the SFs in future.

Maoists have issued a diktat asking villagers to join the organisation in a bid to strengthen their outfit through posters and letters found at Badatekguda under Kalimela block in Malkangiri District. Through the posters and letters, the Maoists demanded that at least 10 from each village must join the Maoist camps. In violation of the order, the villagers would be awarded death sentence, they warned. The letter also mentioned that at least 10 people from each village must meet the Maoists and join their organisation at the Helkanur hill on October 25. Besides, the Maoists, who have surrendered before the Police, have been asked to return to the cadre. The Maoists also threatened that 'Police informers' would never be spared. The Maoists' diktat was issued after a number of militias belonging to their Kalimela Dalam cadre in Malkangiri surrendered before the Police in the past few months.

The bullet riddled body of a NREGP worker, identified as Basant Kumar Bhatta, was recovered near a village in Kandhamal District, two days after he was allegedly abducted by the CPI-Maoist cadres. A few posters bearing the name of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist were found near the body with a message that Bhatta, a 'Gaon Sathi' (youth who facilitate smooth implementation of NREGP) of Durgapanga village was killed because he was a 'Police informer'. "The Gaon Sathi of Durgapanga was engaged in providing information to police about Maoists' activities. Other police informers would also face similar fate if they continue to work for police," the posters read.

Acting on specific intelligence about the presence of a Maoist camp, the SF personnel carried out a combing operation in the Satokoshia forest near Narsinghpur area under Athagarh sub-division in Cuttack District. One platoon each from CRPF and DVF were engaged in the combing operation, informed DGP, Rajendra Prasad Sharma, adding, one more CRPF platoon would join the operation. It is suspected around 20- 25 Maoists held a camp and were conducting meetings in the Narasinghpur area. Notably, Maoists have a significant presence in some interior Districts including Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Nayagarh etc, but their move towards to costal area of the State is a great cause of concern for the State Government.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Mohan Majhi, of Lahidi village at Lahidi village near Gumudumaha in Kandhamal District. CPI-Maoist observed a bandh in five Districts (Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Ganjam and Gajapati) of the State. Demanding immediate arrest of the accused in gang rape of a minor in Kunduli, a check on violence against tribal women and solution to Mahanadi water row, the BGN division of the CPI-Maoist called for the bandh. Vehicular movement was affected in the five districts due to the bandh, report said.

CPI-Maoist cadres gunned down an alleged 'Police informer' who they also suspected of ferrying ration for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Chitrakonda area in Malkangiri District. The victim identified as Sama Pangi was shot dead by a group of Maoists near Spillway Ghat of Balimela reservoir in Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri. Around 10 Maoists came to the ghat on a motorboat and shot Pangi, a native of Janti village, from point-blank range. The Maoists also suspected Pangi of being a 'Police informer' and had attacked him two years ago. But he had survived that attack. Following the attack, he had left his native village and was staying at Pilobai in Chitrakonda area and had sought protection from District Police. Pangi made a living by selling food items near the Spillway Ghat.

The State Government is intensifying its drive against CPI-Maoist with focus on joint operations by Police and Central Forces in Malkangiri and Koraput Districts, which are considered to be the Maoist strongholds. DGP, R.P. Sharma, reviewed anti-Maoist operations, during his first visit to Malkangiri and Koraput since taking charge as the State Police Chief. "Our emphasis will be on joint operations and better co-ordination between the forces," said Sharma, who visited a BSF camp at Badapada in the "cut-off" area of Malkangiri District. He also had a look at the ongoing work on the Gurupriya Bridge that would connect the six gram panchayats in the "cut-off" area located across the Balimela reservoir with the District's mainland. DGP, Sharma's visit comes in the wake of attacks by the Maoists on boats ferrying ration for the SFs stationed in the "cut-off" belt. On October 15, the Maoists had looted a boat carrying provisions for the BSF jawans. On October 22, the Maoists in Malkangiri gunned down an alleged 'Police informer' who, they suspected, was ferrying ration for the SFs. Sama Pangi was shot dead near the reservoir's spillway ghat in the Chitrakonda area. Following attacks by the Maoists on boats carrying provisions for SFs, Malkangiri Police had decided to use helicopters for the purpose. The helicopters, according to DGP, Sharma, will be used for anti-Maoist operations.

The Maoists damaged a slurry pipeline belonging to Essar Steel near Gunthabeda forest under Chitrakonda Police limits in Malkangiri District. The pipeline was constructed by Essar Steel to transport iron ore from the Bailadila iron ore mines in the slurry form to its pelletisation plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

An exchange of fire took place between the CPI-Maoist cadres and SFs in the Chandili forests at Lathor in Balangir District. Acting on a tipoff, a joint team of the DVF and the CRPF conducted raids in the forest area to trace the Maoists' hideout, however, on spotting the SFs, the Maoists first opened fire and in retaliation the SF personnel fired back, following which the Maoists fled from the spot. "Our operation is still on but we have been able to bust the hideout and seized few ammunition including a live grenade with detonator. We are trying to ascertain whether there have been any casualties or not," said SP, K. Subramani. One live grenade, five kit bags, 12 containers and other articles have been recovered from the camp that was busted.

SFs engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operations in Malkangiri and its adjoining areas are gearing up to prevent the entry of Maoists from the neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh into Malkangiri District. Stopping infiltration of the Maoists from the neighbouring States has become imperative in view of recent attacks on boats carrying provisions for SFs deployed in the "cut-off" area of Malkangiri that shares a border with the Maoist-hit areas of Chhattisgarh. Sources said the boat attacks were taking place at the behest of Maoist leaders directing Maoist operations in Malkangiri from across the border.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have allegedly abducted four youths of Badadenguni village under Muniguda block in Rayagada District. The abducted have been identified as Bali Karkaria, Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri, informed Rayagada SP, Rahul PR, adding, the role of Maoists is not confirmed behind the missing of youths, however, cadres of BGN division were active in the area. Though the exact reason behind the abduction is yet to be ascertained, the locals suspected that the Maoists might have abducted the youths citing as 'Police informers'.

The CPI-Maoist have released all four residents of Badadenguni village in Rayagada District, after keeping them in captivity for four days, since their abduction on October 29. The abductees identified as Bali Karkaria, Hara Takri, Chela Karkaria and Nepal Takri were reportedly released after intervention of two interlocutors from the village. While the exact reason of the abduction of the villagers is yet to be confirmed by Police, it suspects that they could have been captured by the Maoists on suspicion of being 'Police informers'. Notably, at least 10 armed Maoists of BGN division of the CPI-Maoist raided the village in the night of October 29, and took the four with them.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze nine vehicles kept in the contractor's camp at Narengtola in Melakajoba village under Kalyansinghpur block in Rayagada District, to protest the construction of a road in the region. According to reports, eight masked Maoists stormed into the camp, threatened the workers to leave the place and set ablaze the vehicles, including four tractors, four motorcycles, one Bolero SUV and a JCB. The Maoists committed the act as they were reportedly protesting the Gunduriguda-Lakhapadar road work under PMGSY.

One SOG trooper was injured by CPI-Maoist cadres in combing operation in Mahakhanda forest in Kantabanji in Balangir District. The Maoists attacked the SOG team while they were going from a combing operation in the region. There was an exchange of fire in which the trooper, identified as Chandrabhanu Bhoi, was hit by a bullet in the stomach.

The AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist claimed responsibility for the hijacking of a boat laden with ration for BSF personnel near Totapadar in the "cut-off" region of the Malkangiri District. In a letter, the Maoists have mentioned that the loot was to protest the Andhra Pradesh Police's arrest of three innocent villagers from Andarapalli Panchayat in the District in the name of Maoist cadres. Earlier, the Police used to stand by the people in difficult times, but now have changed their attitude and are least bothered about the villagers' plight, alleged the Maoists in the letter.

CPI-Maoist posters resurfaced in Narayanpatna of Koraput District, with the Maoist cadres appealing people to participate in the week-long centenary celebrations of the Russian Revolution from November 7-13 across the State. The posters have been put up by Koraput-Srikakulam division of the CPI-Maoist at various places in Narayanpatna. They have called upon people to draw inspiration from Russia's Bolshevik Revolution dating back to 1917 and strive to achieve the New Democratic Revolution in India. The rebel outfit has also asked all organised and unorganised labourers to launch a powerful agitation demanding eight hours work, minimum wages, social security and labour law. The posters also urged the people to protest the false arrests and encounters of people by the Police under the Naveen Patnaik Government. Similar posters were also found in Bandhugaon block of the District on November 3.

Two troopers of CoBRA were injured in an IED blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Malkangiri District. The incident took place in the Chitrakonda forest when the joint SFs including Odisha Police and CoBRA were on sanitization operation. According to sources, a joint operation was launched on early hours of November 13, after Odisha Police received intelligence inputs regarding Naxal leaders from various zones gathering at Chitrakonda forest area, to corner the Maoists.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District. According to reports received here from the company sources, the Maoists blasted portions of the pipeline in at least three spots by using landmine explosives. The damaged points are located 500 metres from one end to the other. The blasts caused considerable damage to the pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila mines area of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Police arrested three persons and recovered a huge cache of explosives from their possession at Sadaipali and Dunguripali villages in Bolangir District. The arrested persons are identified as Sudam Mahaling of Sadaipali, Mahesh Agrawal and Murarilal Agrawal of Kantabanji. Sources said on a tip-off, Balangir Sadar Police raided the house of Sudam at Sadaipali in Turekela block and seized gelatin, ammonium nitrate and detonator which are used in making of explosives. A cash of INR 232,000 was also seized from the house. Similarly, Belpara Police raided the godown of Murarilal in Dunguripali and seized 27 bags electrical explosives. The seized items from Sadaipali include 106 bundles of safety fuse, 38 bags of ammonium nitrate weighing around 15 kilograms, 83 kilograms of Gelatin, 13,527 detonators, 35,770 non-electrical detonators, 15 kilograms of charcoal power, 15 kilograms of sulphur powder and eight bundles of electric wire. Police are yet to verify if there are any links with the Maoist.

Police arrested wanted CPI-Maoist cadre, indentified as Sachindra Majhi alias Sachin of Kuimunda village under Boden Police Station in Nuapada District. Sachin was the president of CMAS, a known CPI-Maoist front organization. He was also an active militia of the Maoists in Patdhara Reserve Forest area of the District. Nuapada SP, Smit P Parmar said Sachin was wanted by Boden Police for his involvement in the killing of a civilian Gajapati Majhi on April 18 last year. His role as a militia included arranging meetings in Patdhara area, logistics, providing information on movement of SFs besides extortion from contractors engaged in development work.

The BDS of State Police's SOG, engaged in anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Gajapati District defused the landmines spread across the forest areas. The land mines were detected by the SOG personnel during combing operation to flush out the Maoists in Baliganda forest cover under Mohana Block of the District. The BDS personnel later defused the live landmines.

The CRPF personnel seized huge cache of explosives of the CPI-Maoist while carrying out combing operation at Kendu Panduli forest in Keonjhar District. Reportedly, the Armed Forces personnel spotted a Maoist camp in the forest during combing operation and raided the camp. Even though the Maoists managed to flee from the spot, they left behind three tiffin bombs, 38 gelatin sticks, 35 detonators, 10 packets of gunpowder and other materials used in explosives. The materials have been seized by the Police.

A CPI-Maoist couple surrendered before SP, Jagmohan Meena in Malkangiri District. The Odisha Government had declared a reward of INR 200,000 for capture of each of the surrendered Maoists - Bijal Kadme (26) and Soni Oyame (23). Lured by "better rehabilitation package" for surrendering Maoists in Odisha, they decided to lay down their arms in Malkangiri, said Meena. The couple was a part of the military wing of the CPI-Maoist organisation. They were involved in Maoist activities in parts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. There are more than 17 cases of violence, ranging from IED blasts to murders, registered against them in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Kadme had joined the Maoists in 2008 and Oyame in 2009. They hailed from Pedakarme village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The duo alleged that the Maoist organisation as well as its leaders had deviated from their original ideology and were involved in atrocities on tribals. "Both cited miserable condition of low-rank cadres in the Naxalite organisation and alleged that senior cadres were self-centered with no concern for their problems," said the SP.

The CPI-Maoist posters were found at the Kalyansinghpur Tehsildar's office in Rayagada District, opposing anti-Maoist combing operations. The CPI-Maoist's Rayagada Area Committee was suspected to have put up two posters at the premises of the Government office demanding stopping of the combing operations in the Niyamgiri area. The posters threatened three persons, Suresh Kumar Bal, Ajit Padhi and Raju Gouda, who are working with the Police intelligence wing against Maoists. The Maoists also opposed the construction work of a CRPF camp in the Haat Dahikhal area asking the contractors and brokers to stop the construction work in the Niyamgiri area and demanding that the Government waive off farmers' loan and remove Vedanta from the region. Two more posters were also found at the Anganwadi Centre at Kadambadwar Sahi and Sai Nagar Squares.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres triggered blasts of a slurry pipeline, belonging to Essar Steel, near Chinitalguna village at Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri District. According to reports from the company sources, the Maoists blasted portions of the pipeline in at least three spots by using landmine explosives. The damaged points are located 500 metres from one end to the other. The blasts caused considerable damage to the pipeline, which is stretched across the Bailadila Mines area of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh to its steel plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The slurry pipeline passes through dense and thick forest, where the Maoists have sizeable presence and influence. The Maoists have targeted the slurry pipelines thrice since past one year.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have set up a permanent camp ahead of 'PLGA Week' starting from December 2, in cut off area of Malkangiri District. The Maoists constructed a building, painted in red colour and cordoned off the place with the barricades like Police Station, in a remote area near Totaguda village in Jantri Panchayat in Chitrakonda area in the District. Sources said that Maoist leader Samara and his wife will be in charge of the management of the office. The Maoists office will be officially inaugurated on the first day of the 'PLGA Week' on December 2.

Posters of the CPI-Maoist appealing people to observe 'PLGA Week', surfaced at the Kurtamgarh area under Tumudibandha Police Station area in Kandhamal District. At least two posters were put up beside the Tumudibandha Road, released in the name of CPI-Maoist group appealing people to observe 'PLGA Week' to mark its foundation day from December 2-8. Through the posters, CPI-Maoist cadres also gave a call to people in the District to join the Naxal movement in large numbers. The posters highlighted of the Bargarh encounter and Naxals have warned through the posters that the sacrifice of woman CPI-Maoist cadre Banila and two others would not go in vain and they would fight for the rights on water, forest and women's liberation.

Security has been beefed up across Malkangiri District, after posters of Kalimela Regional Committee of the CPI-Maoist were found in Tekguda and Chitrakonda areas in the District. Surveillance has been strengthened to foil violent activities of Naxals who will observe the 'PLGA Week' from December 2, to pay homage to their 'martyrs' killed during encounter with SFs. The Police have been put on high alert and combing operations are underway in all sensitive areas along the border. Police sources said anti-Maoist operations are on in full swing with the combined efforts of the BSF, SOG and CRPF personnel. The District Police has stepped up joint combing operations with the Central forces. Additional forces have been deployed in all sensitive places such as Kalimela, MV-79, Motu, Podia, Maithili, Chitrakonda, Govindpalli and Bhejangwada of the District.

Jimendra Mallick, a CPI-Maoist cadre, who was providing logistical as well as intelligence inputs to the outfit, was arrested form Tumudibandha Police Station area in Kandhamal District. Mallick, a native of Daringpada village of Kotagada Block, was actively operating in Tumudibandha, Baliguda and Kotagada blocks of the District for the CPI-Maoists' cause. He was disseminating the movement of Police and SFs in advance and confessed his allegiance to CPI-Maoist, said SDPO, Bibekanand Sharma.

Posters of CPI-Maoist appealing locals to join the Maoist movement were found at Barabandha hilly road under M Rampur Block in Kalahandi District. The CPI-Maoist posters put up on roadside trees as well as guard walls gave a call for fight against the encroachment of forest and land of tribal people by outsiders and condemned the killing of CPI-Maoist cadre Rupa in Police encounter in the District in November. CPI-Maoist is observing the 'PLGA Week' from December 2-8 to mark its foundation day.

CPI-Maoist posters also surfaced in Mahupadar and Kalimela areas of Malkangiri District. The bus services in eight routes in Rayagada, Kandhamal and other few pockets in Malkangiri District were suspended as a precautionary measure.

A permanent 'camp building' constructed by CPI-Maoist at Totuguda in Malkangiri District is likely to be inaugurated on December 2.

A 'poster war' broke out on the first day of 'PLGA Week' at Pottangi in Koraput District. CPI-Maoist banners were placed at Kartulpeta village within Bandhugaon Police limits and anti-Naxal posters were seen at several places in Pottangi. According to the report, CPI-Maoist posters pasted by its SKDC protested against leasing out bauxite mining to corporate house by ignoring the rights of tribal people and urged locals to fight for land rights and invited local youths to join their movement with their posters. However, anti-CPI-Maoist posters highlighted Naxals as barrier to development works and killers of innocent people. This was the first time anti-Naxal posters were seen in Pottangi. No one has claimed responsibility for putting up the anti-Naxal posters.

The OSRTC has stopped plying buses in the Odisha's southern CPI-Maoist-affected regions because of the Maoists' ongoing 'PLGA Week' that began on December 2. The bus services in those areas would resume on December 9, after the outfit's December 2-8 foundation day celebrations are over. "OSRTC has stopped operations on 61 out of 190 routes in south Odisha," Corporation's Divisional Manager for Berhampur Division, Amulya Kumar Mishra said, adding that routes of some long-haul buses have been changed so that they do not have to go through these regions. Passenger bus operations from five out of the OSRTC's 10 depots in south Odisha have been completely halted. The depots that have shut down are Phulbani in Kandhamal District, Paralakhemundi in Gajapati District, and the ones in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada.

Babloo Paswan alias Nageshwar, head of the Jharkhand Prastuti Committee, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was injured in an encounter with Ganjam Police in Bhanjanagar NAC in Ganjam District. Ganjam, SP, Ashish Singh said Babloo and two of his associates had come to Ganjam as contract killers to kill one accused when he was supposed to be produced in the District court. Acting on a tip-off, the Police swung into action to arrest Babloo. "When the Police team, headed by the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional police officer, Bhanjanagar inspector in charge and Aska inspector in charge asked a four-wheeler in Gallery outpost limits to stop, Babloo, who was inside, fired at the Police who fired back. Though Babloo was injured, his two associates managed to escape into a nearby forest," Singh said. The Police seized the car, two pistols and ammunition. Active in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Babloo has allegedly been involved in more than 40 cases of loot, dacoity, abduction, extortion and murders.

Hand written posters and banners bearing the name of CPI-Maoist Kalimela Zonal Committee surfaced at different places in Malkangiri District, appealing people to join the outfit and take ahead fight against the administration through constitution of RPC. A slew of posters purportedly written by the rebels in red ink and red banners written in silver ink were put up on roadside walls at Badigeta and Tekguda areas calling locals to take part in the 'PLGA Week' observation from December 2-8 in large numbers to foil the administration's efforts to quell the revolution. The posters also contained slogans demanding protection of the rights of the tribal on the forest and land in the District.

Odisha Government approved an annual budget of INR 710 million for 2017-18 under the SRE scheme. The State-level committee on anti-CPI-Maoist operations approved the SRE budget ahead of a crucial meeting of the Central Government on December 11, informed Asit Tripathy, State Home Secretary. The SRE scheme fund is utilised by the State to fortify Police Station, train Police personnel and meet arms and ammunition expenses of Paramilitary Forces, including providing ex-gratia to families of civilians or security personnel killed during anti-Maoist operations. Usually the State Government spends money for anti-Maoist operations and the Centre reimburses 60 per cent of the total spending.

LWE in Odisha is mainly a result of infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh and CPI-Maoist cadres have no local base in the State, CM, Naveen Patnaik said in Bhubaneswar. "There has been a substantial improvement in the LWE scenario in the State. People do not support violent activities and the LWE cadres have no local base. Our problem is mostly caused by infiltration from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand as well as from Andhra Pradesh," Patnaik told the State Assembly. The CM further said: "The asymmetric deployment of Central forces on the Chhattisgarh border is a major issue towards which we have drawn the Centre's attention. However, as usual our repeated requests for additional deployment of Central forces have not been considered so far. The State government's commitment to eliminate the LWE menace is reflected in our determined efforts to complete the Gurupriya Bridge in spite of the Centre not giving adequate funds. I am hopeful in a few months from now the cut-off areas will have connectivity." While furnishing a written reply on December 4, the CM had informed the House that there was drop in Maoist violence in 2017 compared to 2016. In 2016, as many as 68 incidents of LWE violence were recorded in the State, whereas till November this year there were only 47 violent incidents perpetrated by Maoists. In 2017, Maoist violence claimed the lives of 14 civilians and 9 security personnel. Patnaik also said improvement in Police infrastructure, recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training and a progressive policy of surrender and rehabilitation had led to substantial improvement in the situation.

Paramilitary forces, DVF and jawans of SOGs have intensified the combing operation in the cut-off area of Malkangiri District. "The series of recent Maoist violent activities revealed that the red rebels are trying to strengthen their eroding support base in the cut off region," said a Police official.

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager suspecting him to be a 'Police informer' in Malkangiri District. The deceased was identified as Sitaram Khila, a resident of Nuatekpadar village under Ralegada Panchayat in the Chitrakonda cut-off area in the District. According to reports, around 15-20 armed Maoists took Sitaram from his house on December 9 night and thrashed him mercilessly and later killed him by slitting his throat. However, Police denied the Maoists' claim that Sitaram was a 'Police informer'.

A group of around 20-22 armed Maoists, including 9-10 women cadres, in uniform raided the farmhouse of local BJD leader Ishwar Chandra Panigrahi located at Kumbhariput village under Machkund Police limits in Koraput District, and roughed up the supervisor, Chandrakant Dalei. The Maoist rebels attacked supervisor Chandrakant, snatched CCTVs and monitors installed on the farmhouse premises at put up posters at various places in and around the farmhouse before leaving. The posters released bearing the name of SKDC of AOBSZC of the CPI-Maoist, warned Ishwar Panigrahi against encroachment of tribal land, employing outsiders in his farmhouse as well as abuse of tribal workers. The posters also threatened the ruling party leader with dire consequences demanding a minimum wage of INR 200 and maximum 8 hours of working per day for the workers. They also demanded protection of the tribal rights on forest and land resources in the area.

Maoist posters were found in Kumbarput village under Lamataput block in Koraput District. The posters are stated to have been put up by CPI-Maoist with a message of threat for life for BJD State general secretary Kishore Panigrahi and demands for justice to the Kunduli gangrape victim and arrest of all culprits in the case.

The CPI-Maoist cadres held a 'Kangaroo court' at Panasput and assaulted three villagers mercilessly alleging that they were 'Police informers' in Malkangiri District. Sources said the Maoists dragged former Panasput Sarpanch, Arjun Hantal, and two of his associates from their houses and produced them in the 'Kangaroo court' held inside the forest outside the village. The rebels warned them of dire consequences if they cooperate with the Police and pass any information about them, sources added. Later, they released the trio.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said the CPI-Maoist situation in at least eight Districts of the State continues to "remain challenging" even as there has been a substantial improvement in the situation in other Districts. In a written reply to Congress member Naba Kishore Das in the Assembly on December 8, Patnaik named the eight Districts as Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Bolangir, Bargarh and Angul. The CM told the Assembly that as many as 13 Districts were hit by the LWE violence since 2007, which included Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jajpur and Dhenkanal. However, Patnaik said the LWE situation in Gajapati, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur, Nuapada, Bodh, Nayagarh, Deogarh and Sundargarh was under control. He further said there have been no incidents of Maoist violence reported from Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Nabarangpur and Ganjam Districts so far. "Improvement of police infrastructure, recruitment of armed personnel, specialised training and a progressive policy of surrender and rehabilitation have led to substantial improvement in the situation," Patnaik had said. The State has, meanwhile, requested the Centre to send Additional Central Forces to be deployed in areas prone to Maoist violence.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in a joint raid conducted by Police and BSF personnel in Luchapani Bandhuguda reserve forest under Paparmetla Police limits in the Chitrakonda cut-off area in Malkangiri District. On the basis of a tip-off that a group of Maoists were present in the area, a joint team of Police and BSF personnel had launched a combing operation on December 14 night, Malkangiri, SP, Jagmohan Meena said. After the encounter, during search, the body of the slain Maoist was recovered by the SFs along with a loaded SLR rifle and two magazines having 54 live rounds of 7.62 mm bullets. On further scouting the area, the SFs also recovered an IED planted by Maoists in the nearby forests, BSF, DIG, Intelligence, Jaya Chandra Nayak, said and added that the SFs defused the IED before returning to their camp in Badapada area. The slain Maoist was identified as Sudhakar alias Suka of Chhattisgarh who was working under range divisional committee member Rakesh Sodhi.

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a road construction camp and set ablaze at least 10 vehicles at Andrahal village under Bondaghati area in Malkangiri District. At least 60-70 heavily armed Maoists barged into the camp located near Kharaput-Andrahal road construction site late in the night. After initial verbal abuse to the workers present at the camp the Maoists ransacked the camp and set afire 10 vehicles including two JCBs, five Tractors, one Roller, one Pick-Up van, and one mixer machine kept their. Later on the Maoists left the camp issuing warning to the construction company to immediately stop the road construction work.

Two Maoists working in Sundargarh-Deogarh-Sambalpur (SDS) Division of the CPI-Maoist and active in Satkosia sanctuary area surrendered before the Angul, SP, Brijesh Kumar Rai, at his office in the city in Angul District. The surrendered Maoists carrying cash award of INR 200,000 on each of their heads, are identified as Sukuram Purty (18) and Khusbu Jarai (17) of West Singhbhum District in Jharkhand. Informing on the surrender Angul SP, said the rebel duo were working under SDS Division head Anmol and were active in the areas like Khandapa, Purunakote and Thakurgarh of the District.

Tribal youth identified as Muya Kawasi (22) was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres by slitting his throat at Mahupadar village under Maithili Police Station area in Malkangiri District. CPI-Maoist cadres had abducted Kawasi from Jandhraguda village of Temurupalli Panchayat on December 16, suspecting him to be a 'Police informer'. The body of Kawasi was found on the main road of Galiaguda village under Mahupadar Panchayat within Maithili Police limits. The handwritten posters of CPI-Maoist cadres recovered near Kawasi's body claimed responsibility for the killing and stated that Kawasi had been passing information to Police about the movements of CPI-Maoist from 2015 to 2017.The BSF and the Police have started combing operation in the area, said SP, Jagmohan Meena.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal villager, identified as Sadhu Khemudu, by slitting his throat, at Pipalapadar village of Nakamamudi Panchayat within Chitrakonda Police limits of Malkangiri District. Maoists barged into house of Khemudu, suspecting him as a 'Police Informer', and took him to nearby forest for a trial before the 'Praja Court'. The body of Khemudu was recovered in the village outskirts.

CPI-Maoist cadres raided a camp of a construction company at Nilapadri village in Malkangiri District and set ablaze one JCV machine and three tractors protesting road construction.

Police recovered posters of 'Kalimela Anchalika Committee (KAC)' of CPI-Maoist at MPV-35 and MV-70 villages of Kalimela in Malkangiri District.