'Saheed divas' by Naxals;Panic grips naxal-dominated areas

Jeypore, Nov 28 (UNI) The naxal-dominated Bandhugam and Narayanpatna, bordering Orissa and Andhra Pradesh have been virtually besieged by naxal activities, as the Left wing ultras began their week-long celebration called ''saheed divas'' from today.

Panic gripped the people and the officials residing in these two blocks who found it difficult to do their day to day activities. The recent attack of the naxalites killing a Special Operation Group (SOJ) jawan had forced them to remain indoors at night.

Despite high alert and security measures, the naxalites and their supporters have been running parallel administration and forced the government officials and people to keep quiet.

Hundreds of banners and posters by the naxalites are seen hanging in different roads and meetings are being held in interior pockets by naxals cadres.

Vehicular traffic movements in and outside the two blocks have been badly affected and no one dared to visit the areas anticipating naxal threats.

What baffled the local people that despite presence of over 2,000 strong state armed and central forces in the sensitive pockets, the naxalites and their supporters are openly campaigning against government agencies and landlords.

Sources said after the recent encounter that killed one policeman in Malkangiri, none, including top police brass of the district, was willing to gear up movement in the naxal-infested areas without proper intelligence inputs.

However, police said patrolling has been intensified in the areas and red alert sounded in all the tribal pockets. More armed forces had been sent to the naxal-dominated areas to prevent any untoward incidents during the saheed week celebration Meanwhile, Koraput police Superintendent of Police Depak Kumar has asked the police man to remain alert and check all vehicles entering into the naxal infested areas.

UNI XC-DP SJC RN1947