With mining activities taking off in the State in a big way, the Maoists are trying hard to sabotage these economic operations by raking up various issues in several mining zones.
After a long period of lull, now mining activities have picked up and market is upbeat; so taking advantage of it the Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) are trying hard to incite tribal population against mining, sources said.
With mining operations up, revenue generation from the mineral sector is looking up and the State Government is expecting Rs 9,000 crore revenue from non tax revenue front during 2018-19, sources said.
The total collection from mining royalty has been around Rs 7,185 crore against last years’ collection of Rs 4,217 crore up to December end. These funds are utilized for taking up major social activities in education and health sector and developmental projects in the State.
However, the ultras are trying to halt these economic activities and sources said the maoists are now active in the mining zones of Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Sundargarh and even in an industrial zone like Angul, revealed a top cop engaged in anti-Maoist operations.
While Kalahandi has turned out to be most affected district by Maoists, these ultras of Chhattisgarh are trying to incite innocent tribal people over mining activities, said sources.
Maoists sneaking from Chhattisgarh are active in Niyamgiri forests and in several violent incidents many security forces and civilians have been killed.
The Red Corridor passing through Kalahandi is connecting Chhattisgarh and young cadres from the neighbouring State are engaged in violence, for which the State Government has approached the Union Government to declare the district as “worst affected by LWE.”
Nuapada-Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Rayagada-Koraput-Malkangiri is the Red Corridor and these ultras are moving in these routes, officials said.
While Malkangiri and Koraput are declared as “worst Maoist affected districts,” Kalahandi is also needed similar support from the Union Government.
There is a spate of anti-mining protests raised by several Maoist supported groups, which are mostly seen in Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput.
In Rayagada, these ultras are raising anti-mining issues, including displacement to incite the tribals. Over ground supporters of the Maoists are raking up such issues in various places of the tribal zones.
The State police are closely monitoring the activities, sources said. That is why active top cops are being posted in south western range and districts.
A vigil is kept on the movement of these elements, and coordinated efforts are being taken up to contain these elements, said sources.
In the industrial zone of Angul, the Maoists are trying to incite innocent people on tiger translocation in Satkosia reserve forest.
The LWE guerrillas are trying to create their base and improve their strength.
However, they are not getting support from the local youths to join as cadres, despite their attempt to mislead them.
