Maoists plant bomb to blow up BSNL Tower in Balimela

Malkangiri, Jun 26 (UNI) A BSNL tower in Balimela was partially damaged when a bomb planted by the Maoists near the tower exploded this morning, during the economic blockade agitation against special economic zone policy of the government.

Malkangiri Superintendent of Police S K Gojbhaya said, there was minor damage to the BSNL tower when one of the three bombs planted by the Naxalite exploded.

Director General of Police Amarananda Pattnaik today denied reports that the Maoists had made attempt to trigger explosion at the Balimela Hydel Project this morning.

He said the left wing ultras were only targetting the movement of the mines adding that if they resorted to such action, they would lose the public support.

The Malkangiri SP said the Naxalites were seen near the Balimela Hydel project site this morning but they soon left the place following heavy security arrangement in and around the Hydel project.

Mr Gojbhaya said,the Maoists later went to the BSNL tower and planted bombs there in a bid to blow up the tower. But there was a minor damage to the tower and communication was not affected due to the explosion, he added.

Earlier the Maoists had targetted the BSNL tower in Kalimela and 79 villages in the district.

Police said the two day economic blockade called by the Maoists to protest against the SEZ policy evoked little response in the naxalite-dominated South Orissa. At many places only the movement of vehicular traffic was affected due to the call.

UNI