Security personnel belonging to the BSF and Odisha police arrested as many as six Maoists during a combing operation in Malkangiri district on Wednesday, the first day of the observance of the People's liberation Guerrilla Army (PlGA) Week, observed by Maoist outfits from December 2 to 8 every year.
Being informed about the movement of Maoists in the Rajulkonda forest area under the MV 79 police limits, an operation was launched to nab them. However, no arms were recovered from their possession, said Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra. Interrogation is on to learn more about their involvement in Maoist offensives in the district, he added.
Meanwhile, the PlGA celebration evoked a lukewarm response in Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Koraput districts on the first day. No Maoist posters or banners were found across Malkangiri district.
Barring some Government-run buses, all public carriers plied on the regular routes as per schedule. Shops and markets remained open and offices and educational institutions functioned as usual.
Unlike previous years, when normal life would come to a grinding halt in these districts, there is a very little impact of the PlGA week this year.
Officials at the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) Jeypore said at least 18 buses along nine routes have been suspended. Government buses plying to Bhubaneswar via Rayagada have been diverted and plying enroute Andhra. In Nabarangpur district, both private and Government buses between Raighar and Chandahandi remained off the roads on Wednesday.
"As of now, no violence has been reported from Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts. Security has been strengthened and counter-insurgency operations have been intensified with the deployment of SOG, BSF and CRPF personnel," said DIG (South-Western Range) S Shyni.
The week is also being observed by Maoists at different places of Mohana and Adava blocks in Gajapati district. In apprehension of any untoward incident, OSRTC vehicular movements were stopped on the roads connecting to the NH-17 and passing through Mohana Maoist dominated area.
However, private transportation was unaffected while business establishments and other shops remained open. There were no banners and posters at public places. The Paralakhemundi police brigade has tightened the security and patrolling system for security reason.