The nationwide lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic has come as an advantage for the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) as a slowing down of security focus has given them a passage in the remote parts of Swabhiman Anchal in Odisha bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, reports The New Indian Express on March 29. According to the report, the Maoists have increased their movement in inaccessible bordering areas including the Tulsi forest under Mathili Police limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha. As per the sources, the Maoists from three neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana are moving freely in the rural areas thereby adding to the security challenges. A voluntary organisation ‘Sachetan Nagarika Mancha’ on March 28 put up hundreds of posters at Kudumulugumma, Spillway in Chitrakonda, Janbai in Swabhiman Anchal and Mahupadar in Malkangiri District, urging Maoists to stop being the carriers of coronavirus and surrender before the District administration to protect themselves. The posters also appealed to villagers not to come in contact with the Maoists. They should not attend meetings called by the Naxals [Left Wing Extremists, LWEs] and provide food materials and other items to them, the posters read, adding, that some Maoists are roaming in villages after getting infected with coronavirus and may cause an outbreak in the region.