Naxals kill 13 policemen, Opp. demands CM's resignation

Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (UNI) Tension prevailed in Nayagarh district where 13 policemen were massacred by naxalities last night, even as the Opposition today demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

In a planned attack hundreds of armed naxalites, including women cadres, had descended on several police stations at the district headquarters at about 2245 hours, carrying sophisticated weapons, captured the town and looted the district armoury in no time.

They asked the residents to remain indoors and simultaneously attacked the Nayagarh police station, the Police Training School, the District Armoury and Police Reserve with bombs and grenade giving no time to the small police force to retaliate.

The naxalites set afire Nayagarh, Daspalla and Nuagaon police stations and looted the arms. They even barged into the district armoury and police training school, hurled bombs and grenade and loaded the looted ammunition in a vehicle before fleeing into the dense forest nearby.

Assistant sub-inspector Dandapani Mishra was killed when they hurled grenade and opened fire at the Nayagarh police station.

For more than two hours, the entire town was under their seige.

The naxals fled much before an additional reinforcement rushed to the town from various places.

Frightened people shut themselves indoors. Even today the streets wore a deserted look as shops remained closed along with several other financial and educational institutions.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, along with Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra, today airdashed to Nayagarh to assess the situation.

Latest reports said the naxalites were holed up near Kahali forest close to Nayagarh and security personnel had encircled the area.

Additional forces were rushed to the spot and combing operation had been intensified to nab the ultras. Police said before fleeing the naxalites planted landmines and blocked roads by cutting huge trees between Chakapada, Gallery and Bodangi.

Meanwhile, the Opposition in the Orissa Assembly today demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the wake of the killing.

They raised the demand as soon as the House assembled for the day to take up Question Hour.

Leader of Opposition J B Patnaik demanded Mr Patnaik's resignation saying that he had 'failed' to protect the life of the people in the state.

EDS:Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

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