Five Maoists killed in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: Maoists appear to be on the defensive with the security forces tasting some success during their recent operations. On late Saturday night, at least five Maoists were killed and a few other rebels injured during a gunfight with the security personnel at Raighati under Tamka police station in the mineral-rich Jajpur district.

The killed rebels include four women. Police claimed two of the encounter victims were area commanders.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the security personnel — comprising personnel from the elite Special Operation Group (SOG) and state armed police forces — raided a Naxal camp in the Raighati forests. The rebels, who were holding a meeting, immediately retaliated by opening fire on the security forces.

At least 12 guns have been seized from the killed rebels. The police have cordoned off the entire Tamka region and intensified combing operations.

The police claimed that the rebels were planning to visit Kalinga Nagar to attend the fifth anniversary of the Martyrs’ Day being observed by the local tribals under the banner of Bisthapan Birodhi Jana Manch ( BBJM).

The BBJM leader Rabindra Jarika, however, disputed the police version saying that the latter was deliberately trying link the anti-displacement movement with the Maoists.

“The police claim is completely untrue and it aims at defaming the tribals of Kalinga Nagar who has been resisting displacement in the name of industrialisation,” Jarika said.

Several eminent anti-displacement leaders, including Sukharam Munda, the grandson of noted freedom fighter Birsa Munda, and Prafulla Samantra, attended the Martyrs’ Day anniversary.