Mixed response to Maoist bandh in South Odisha
Malkangiri/Rayagada: The 48-hour statewide bandh call given by Maoists from today evoked mixed response in Maoist-prone areas of south Orissa. But no major incident of Maoist violence was reported from anywhere till afternoon.
The Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) had cancelled all its bus services in Maoist-affected districts of south Orissa during the bandh call. Instead, the OSRTC buses were plying through Andhra Pradesh. This bandh call had drastic effect on vehicular traffic at Jeypore, Rayagada and Malkangiri district.
The OSRTC and most of the private operators preferred to keep their passenger vehicles off road in this district. Shops remained closed in some Maoist infested areas like Anakadali, Machhkund in neighbouring Koraput district today, the first day of the bandh.
Normal life was remained unaffected in most of the Maoist infested areas in Malkangiri district. Though government buses were kept off the road, some private buses were plying ignoring the Maoist threat.
In Rayagada district also the bandh did not have much impact apart from disruption of OSRTC bus services. Passenger buses also did not ply to Maoist prone Chandrapur ,Kashipur and Muniguda area. Train services continued as per schedule. This bandh call had no impact in Gajapati district. Maoists had tried to show up their clout in Ganjam district before their bandh call by damaging four mobile towers in Bhanjanagar on Tuesday night. Yet the bandh call had no impact in Ganjam district.
But securities remained tight and extra patrolling and check up on roads leading to Maoist prone areas continued. Central para-military forces and State armed police continued their combing and patrolling in Maoist infested areas.
IIM Sambalpur
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