Police-naxalite encounter on Orissa-Chhatishgarh border

Malkangiri, Mar 04 (UNI) Several naxalites were injured in a fierce encounter with the paramilitary forces near Batiguda, about 10 kms from the Kalimela police station late last night.

Police said the greyhound force and the CRPF, jointly engaged in combing operation on Orissa-Chhatishgarh border following February 28 Darbhagula landmines blast in South Bastar, had to encounter a large number of naxalites hiding in the dense forest.

The encounter, police said, lasted for more than 30 minutes and the naxalites fled but left as many as 11 kit bags containing naxalite literatures and other materials.

The force claimed that the naxalites had taken away the injured with them as they found blood stains all around the encounter site.

Senior Police officials with reinforcement had rushed to the site to launch intensive combing operation since the area is situated close to the Darbhaguda land mine blast in which 25 villagers were killed and 40 injured on February 28 last.

The police suspected that the naxalites who triggered the landmines, had sneaked into the Orissa territory fearing police action.

UNI XC DP KK SS1225