By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/MALKANGIRI: Security forces manning the leftwing insurgency hit areas of Odisha , particularly under the South-Western, Southern and Northern Police ranges were on Saturday got major boost from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for their successful anti-Maoists’ operations in Malkangiri district. Taking to the Twitter handle, the Odisha CM lauded the Malkangiri DVF and SOG for the operation.
“Sustained operations in #swabhiman anchal has resulted in one of the biggest seizures of arms in the anti naxal operations. Appreciate dedicated efforts of Malkangiri DVF & SOG. Laud the efforts of @odisha_police.Notably, a team comprising of SOG and DVF commandos of Odisha police had launched an intense search and area domination exercises in the major Maoist hideouts and dumps in Swabhiman Anchal and adjoining areas,” Patnaik twitted.
However, an exchange of fire took place between the team and the Maoists at Goiguda village during the operation. This led to recovery and seizure of a huge quantity of Maoists arms, ammunition, equipment and other articles.
Earlier on February 7, State DGP Abhay said in the month of January 2020 an extensive composite operation was launched in this Swabhiman Anchal (cut-off area) by Odisha Police.Director Intelligence, Satyajit Mohanty, ADGP Intelligence, RK Sharma, IGP Operation, Amitabh Thakur and other senior Top Cops were present.
DGP said the Teams from Odisha Police, BSF, CoBRA and Andhra Police participated in the Joint Operation, which was one of the biggest counter- LWE operations in the area.
DIG South Western Range, Shefeen Ahmed K and SP Malkangiri Rishikesh Khilari are taking lead in the Operation.This operation provided security coverage for road construction in the cut off areas which was opposed by the Maoists.
Connectivity in the area brings development which in turn changes the perception of the people of the area towards mainstreaming with the society.
Immediately after this composite operation there was an exchange of fire between a team led by S.P.& comprising of SOG and DVF commandoes of Odisha Police and the Maoists at Goiguda village on 15 January, 2020.
On the basis of specific information recovered from Maoists documents and electronic devices seized post this exchange of fire, SOG and DVF teams of Odisha Police had launched intense search and area domination exercises resulting in uncovering of the major Maoist hideouts and dumps in Swabhiman Anchal and adjoining areas.
This had led to recovery and seizure of huge quantity of Maoists arms, ammunitions, equipments and other articles. This is a major jolt to the subversive and anti-national designs of the Maoists in this area.
It is suspected that these arms and ammunitions could have been looted from the police in the past. This is under verification.
State Police suspect that the cache of arms was hidden by the Maoists of Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (ABSZC).
In the wake of recovery, police have intensified combing and area domination exercises in the region in a bid to recover more such Naxal dumps if any.
