Maoists Martyrs' Week in Odisha hits bus service

Bhubaneswar, July 28: Buses and trucks stayed off the roads in parts of Odisha as Maoists on Monday observed the beginning of Martyrs' Week in memory of rebel leaders killed by security forces, police said.

Passengers had a tough time especially in the southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Nabrangpur as jeeps, buses and other public transport vehicles did not run, fearing attacks by the rebels.

Operators have kept their vehicles off the roads to avoid trouble, said Akhileswar Singh, superintendent of police of the worst Maoist-hit Malkangiri district.

"Security personnel have been deployed in strategic places. We have strengthened the intelligence gathering to prevent any untoward incident," Singh told IANS.

Security has been beefed up in all Maoists affected districts, a senior state police official said.

Maoists guerrillas killed a tribal man in Koraput district Saturday night by slitting his throat after accusing him of being a police informer.

The Left-wing extremists also shot dead two tribals Friday in Badaliguda village of nearby Malkangiri district.

In another incident in Malkangiri, Maoists abducted four people from an Aadhaar enrolment camp Friday but released them six hours later with a warning to stop the enrolment process.

More than half of the state's 30 districts have Maoists presence. The southern part of the state is considered their stronghold.

Charu Majumdar, founder of Maoist movement in the country, had died in police custody July 28, 1972. The guerrillas have been observing Martyrs' Week since then.

IANS