In a bid to intensify anti-Maoist operations in Malkangiri district, three new BSF (Border Security Force) camps were set up in the Kalimela area on Wednesday.
With the establishment of the new camps at Bhenjagwada, Gumphakonda and Chintalwada, the total number of the BSF camps in the district increased to 23, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh said.
Describing Kalimela as one of the core areas of Maoists, he said the new BSF camps would play a significant role in strengthening the battle against the ultras.
The opening of the new BSF camps came close on the heels of the visit of Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Mishra to the district earlier this month during which he had assessed the ongoing anti-Maoist operations.
It was extremely necessary to strengthen security and enhance presence of jawans in the area as the Maoists have been trying to bring the entire region under their complete control, a senior police official said.
Since the entire area is covered with dense forests and full of hilly terrains, more numbers of security personnel would be of immense help in stepping up the fight against the ultras, he said.
About 100 jawans would be stationed at each of the newly-set up BSF camps for conducting anti-Maoist operations. The options for the security forces were limited earlier and the BSF personnel based in the Kalimela camp had to be engaged for anti-Maoist operations. Now, there would be considerable flexibility in their job.
The Kalimela area witnessed a spurt in the Maoist activities since March this year marked by gun-battles between the ultras and security personnel. Besides, the Maoists’ women sympathisers had organised a rally in the area earlier this month.