In a success in the anti-Left wing extremist operation, the Malkangiri police with the help of the Border Security Force personnel have busted a Maoist camp and seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition in the district on September 21.
On receiving intelligence inputs about Maoist movement near Kirmitri village, a team of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) and BSF personnel launched a combing operation in the area. On September 21 , they were fired upon by the ultras following which a gun battle ensued. But the Red rebels fled into deep forest. Later, during search four guns, one SLR empty case, Maoist literature, medicines, umbrellas, uniforms and posters were seized during the operation Searching and combing operations have been intensified in that area, police said.
Notably, with the State Government expediting development works and setting up of BSF and police camps in the Maoist bastions, the LWE activities have decreased significantly in the districts. The recruitment drives by them are not finding any takers. So, they are trying to regroup and poison the mind of local tribals against the security forces by holding ‘Praja Melis’ in remote and inhospitable areas, a senior police official said.