Maoists have reportedly come into the Padampur, Paikamal and Jharbandh jungles in Bargahr district following combing operations were expedited in Chhattisgarh, sources said. Maoists have set up their camps at the Gandhamardan and Jhancha mountains which spread over bordering jungles of Chhattisgarh and Odisha’s Nuapada and Baragarh jungles.
Red rebels had earlier set up a camp here which was known to the local police. Presence of Maoists has created a panicky among the locals who do not dare to come out of their houses after the sunset now. In 2010, a group of Red rebels had carried out their public relation campaign at nearby villages of the Gandhamardan mountain. According to the sources, Maoists are now present at luhurakot, Utuka, Tardipali, Dova, Temeri, Budhasambar, Mohanpali, Temerimal, Pipalkhunta, Manabhang, Barudabahal, Patrapali and Dhaulibahal villages under Jharbandh and Paikmal police limits and at Ganiaguda, Charpali, Birbhata under Padampur police station. The Maoists are moving in these villages fearlessly, source said. Although the CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) jawans have started the search operation in these areas, they are yet to succeed in their mission, the sources added.