Forest officials reportedly do not seem to discharge their normal duty of watching jungles in the Narasinghpur area. For, in the last couple of weeks, Maoists have intruded into the forests for launching their covert operations.
According to sources, the Maoists have selected Bhejia, a hilltop place in the borderline of Narasinghpur (east) and Hindol range, from where they can encounter easily with the police forces. As the place is in dense forest with availability of fountain water, it has been chosen by the ultras. They have engaged a good number of spies in Chhatkei, labangi, Raigada, Tuluka, Jadapada,Sermunda and Narasinghpur areas who work dedicatedly. Recently, a non-Odia spy wandering in Jarada jungle was seen by the DFO but the latter did not interrogate him apprehending unwarranted situation.
As the Narasinghpur forests are increasingly falling into the grip of the Maoists, forest officials have found it unsafe to work, with the result that jungle mafias and elephant poachers have become active and are taking maximum advantage of lax patrolling.