With the Maoists not getting any elbowing space due to heavy deployment of security forces across Odisha’s border with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and targeting innocent tribals as part of their modified strategy to be more and more demonstrative, the Odisha Government has decided to convene a Unified Command meeting on January 6 to step up the offensive against the ultras.
Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra, who will preside over the meeting, is understood to have sent strong signals to the commanders of the security forces to thwart all attempts of the Maoists to regroup. Sources said the Maoists are frustrated and at the same time flustered by the heavy deployment of security forces, the growing disinterest among tribal youths to join them as cadre and renewed enthusiasm for serving as special police officers (SPO) in State police force and the aggressive publicity by Government of the list of ultras with lucrative rewards. So, the Red rebels seem to have started making demonstrative endeavours to prove among the gullible tribals that their stronghold in the areas has not receded. They are picking up innocent faces and butchering them calling them police informers.
Meanwhile, new Director of Intelligence Sunil Roy after taking over charge has stepped up efforts to map the movement of the ultras. He on Monday visited the affected zones along with IG Operations Saumendra Priyadarshi, IG South Western Range Yeshwant K Jethwa and other top cops.
The Chief Secretary, who heads the Unified Command, is likely to review at the January 6 meeting the steps taken by security, intelligence and civil service officers including the plans for security operations as well as the pace of implementation of various Govt programmes intended for the socioeconomic development, sources said.