The Security Forces (SFs) neutralised four Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) camps following an exchange of fire with the rebels in the Gandhamardhan reserve forest in Bargarh District of Odisha on August 8, reports The Pioneer. According to Police, acting on an intelligence input regarding the camping of Maoists in the said forest, Special Operation Group (SOG) teams of Bargarh and Balangir Districts along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) platoons launched a joint operation in the area. On seeing the SFs, the Maoists opened fire leading to a gun-battle. The Maoists, however, managed to escape taking advantage of the dense forest and heavy rainfall, the Police said adding that four Maoist camps were neutralised and live ammunition as well as empty cartridges, Maoist literature written in Hindi and Odia, among other articles were recovered from the spot. Earlier, South Asia Terrorism Portal(SATP) reportedSFs neutralised a Maoist camp in the District on August 8.
Meanwhile, Police on August 9, arrested three Maoist imposters for suspectedly trying to extort money from a farmer in Pujhariguda village under Jayapatna Police Station limits Kalahandi District in Odisha, reports The Pioneer. According to Police, farmer Tulasiram Nayak received a call a few days ago asking him to pay INR 1 million. The caller while identifying himself as a Maoist told Tulasiram to fulfill the demand at the earliest, failing which he would face dire consequences. Tulasiram lodged a complaint at the Jayapatna Police Station. Accordingly, a plan was laid out by the Police and the three accused impersonating as Maoists were arrested. Their identities have not been reported.