By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police DG Abhay and his 2 trusted lieutenants, read IGP (Operations), Amitabh Thakur and Malkangiri SP Rishikesh Khilari on Saturday got major boost from Chief Minister’s Office with CM Naveen Patnaik praising the SOG of Odisha Police and BSF following national media reported about its humanitarian efforts during anti-Maoists operations under the South-Western Range and rescuing an injured Maoists from forest and treating him till he became fine.
“Commend the humanitarian effort of the team of Odisha Police Organisation Special Operation Group & BSF personnel which traversed the hostile terrain, risking their lives in face of gun fire to rescue an injured Maoist in the Totaguda forest of Malkangiri,” CMO said.
The CMO’s comments came following a report that published in openthemagazine.com and written by Rahul Pandita bearing headlines “Walking with the Enemy. How a team of Odisha Police’s Special Operation Group traversed hostile terrain to rescue an injured Maoist,” sources said.
One Laxman Golari from Jodamba of Malkangiri, who had joined the outlawed Maoists as an active member 10 months ago; before that, he had been a part of their militia for five years, was injured during a gun battle on November 26 and the SOG forces walked a rough stretch of 30 km on foot, which took several hours. By that time, a motorcycle had been arranged. Golari was then carried on the bike for another 30 km. At this point, an ambulance was waiting for him. The rest of the 100 km journey was undertaken like this. Golari was treated at the district hospital and is now fine.
Quoting Odisha IGP (Operations) Thakur, the reports said “Operations like these have been made possible after the bridge over the Gurupriya river, almost a kilometre long, was built, ending the area’s isolation. In the last two years, Maoist strength has suffered a significant setback in the area. “About 75-80 per cent of the area is now under direct police presence. This year, 9 local Maoists cadres have so far surrendered to the police in Malkangiri.
Meanwhile, Boat ambulance service was launched in the Swabhiman Anchal of Odisha’s Malkangiri district. Two boat ambulances have been operationalised to facilitate emergency medical care for people living in cut-off areas.
“2 boat ambulance service has been started to provide better health facilities to the people of Malkangiri district. More than 15,000 people from 37 villages will benefit from this ambulance service related to sophisticated machinery. #OdishaCares,” said CMO.
