A hardcore Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire at Narayanpatna in Koraput district of Odisha at around midnight of Sunday.
Speaking to The Hindu , Koraput Superintendent of Police (SP) Awinash Kumar said the slain leftist extremist was identified as Purna Hulka, an area commander of Srikakulam-Koraput division of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation. Odisha government had declared one lakh rupees reward on his head.
Two country-made guns and a revolver were seized from the spot of encounter along with other Maoist materials, the SP said.
Purna hailed from Basanapur area of Narayanpatna block and was said to be active in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks of Koraput district. He had several cases of Maoist violence, including murder charges, pending against him.
According to sources, police personnel of Koraput district and District Voluntary Force (DVF) had acted upon intelligence reports that Purna, along with some Maoist compatriots, was trying some violent mischief in Narayanpatna area.
When the security personnel directed the Maoists to surrender, the ultras opened fire, and the forces retaliated. In this exchange of fire, Purna was killed on the spot while his associates were suspected to have escaped taking advantage of darkness.
Following this encounter, intense search operation has been launched in the area to track down associates of Purna. It may be noted that polling was peaceful in Narayanpatna area on April 10, despite the Maoists boycotting the elections.
Another incident
In yet another incident, a woman Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire between security personnel and Maoists inside Sunabeda sanctuary in Nuapada district of Odisha on Monday.
According to Inspector General of Police (IGP), south-western range, Yashwant Jethwa, this encounter occurred during an operation by personnel of Special Operation Group (SOG) inside the Sunabeda sanctuary which borders Chhattisgarh.
The security personnel have recovered body of the Maoist from the spot of the encounter, said the IGP. One .303 rifle was also recovered from the spot. Details were awaited as this anti-Maoist operation was still continuing in the area, he added.
