A few days after seven Maoists were gunned down by security personnel in Balangir and Kandhamal districts, another exchange of fire between Red rebels and security forces erupted near the Balimela reservoir in Malkangiri district on Thursday morning.
No casualty was reported by the time of filing of this report. According to reports, Maoists opened fire at a joint team of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh security forces while the latter were conducting a combing operation near Ramaguda village. The Maoists too blasted landmines during the exchange of fire, added reports.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr RP Sharma reviewed Maoist situations and preparedness of security personnel in Balangir and Kandhamal districts on the day.
After conducting a review in Balangir, Sharma said security personnel have successfully conducted anti-Maoist operations, boosting their own morale.
The reward for killing of Maoists would be given to those personnel who were involved in the operations and those who provided crucial intelligence input, he said.
He too appealed Maoists to give up violence and lead a normal life in the society.
Interestingly, the helicopter of the DGP landed at Manoharpur parade ground, 100 metre from the earmarked helipad.
Earlier in the day, Sharma along with Intelligence Director Sunil Rao, IG Operations RP Koche, IGs GS Upadhaya, RK Sharma and IG Intelligence Anubhava singh visited Kandhamal district and monitored Maoist situation and security arrangements. lauding the recent operation at the Godangi jungle that killed Maoists, the DGP said Kandhamal district would soon be freed from Maoists. SP Pratik Singh was present.
Here too, the DGP called upon Maoists to return to the mainstream of the society and lead a normal life.