Fighting still on, one Maoist killed, four arrested

BHUBANESWAR: Stunned by the daring attack by the Maoist, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday in a joint operation successfully gunned down one of the hardcore Maoists and arrested four rebels entrenched on the hilltop bauxite mines of the National Aluminium Company (Nalco) in Koraput district. More than 10 Maoists are understood to have been killed by the security foreces.

The police also reportedly recovered half of the arms and ammunition looted by the ultras from the local Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) camp and explosives lifted from the Nalco's storehouse.

According to reports, fierce fighting was still on with the Maoists till Tuesday evening. A few frontline cadres of the banned CPI (Maoists) were resisting the advance of the security personnel so as to facilitate safe retreat of their comrades.

The security personnel have cordoned off Rangapani village at the foothill of Pachapatmali, the bauxite mines of Nalco, as many of the ultras are believed to be hiding their to avoid arrest. The police suspects a sizeable number of rebels have returned to Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh via Podapadar and Narayanpatna.

In another development, guard of honour was paid to the 10 slain CISF jawans who laid down their lives to flush out the rebels from the hilltop.

Meanwhile, union minister for mines, Sis Ram Ola, on Tuesday condemned the Naxal attack on Sunday night. In a statement issued, Mr Ola has praised the bravery and courage exhibited by CISF Jawans for saving the government properties from the Naxal attack.

"The Naxal attack will not adversely affect the production activities of the Company. While the production at its Alumina Refinery, Captive Power Plant and Smelter Plant is going on normally, the production at the Bauxite Mines may be affected marginally for a day or two", Mr Ola said.