Two cadre of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Swabhiman Anchal in Odisha’s Malkangiri district early on Sunday.
Also read: How Swabhiman Anchal, a former Maoist bastion, got back on the map
The exchange of fire had taken place near Singharam village, close to Alampakka where 39 security personnel, most of them belonging to Andhra Pradesh police’s elite Greyhound force, were killed in an ambush set up by CPI (Maoist) in 2008. The operation was carried out by Special Operation Group, a special anti-naxal force of Odisha police.
“Around 3.30 a.m. when the SOG team was conducting area domination near Singharam village in Swabhiman Anchal, they were fired upon by Maoists. They returned fire. An exchange of fire took place. But, because of their superior training, bravery and tactic, SOG personnel prevailed and Maoists fled,” said Director General of Police Abhay.
Later in the morning, bodies of a man and woman Maoist were found. The man was identified as an Area Committee Member, said Mr. Abhay. The woman was yet to be identified. But, from the uniform she was wearing and the weapon she was carrying, it was assumed that she was high-rank cadre, he pointed out.
“Odisha police is determined to drive away CPI (Maoist) from Swabhiman Anchal and I urge CPI (Maoist) cadre to lay down their arms,” said Mr. Abhay.
Security forces found one INSAS rifle, one SLR rifle, ammunition, three Maoist kits and other incriminating articles at the site. Odisha police said no SOG personnel were injured.
In the last week of November, one CPI (Maoist) was killed in an exchange of fire in Jantri Gram Panchayat of Swabhiman Anchal. Security forces evacuated another cadre injured in the confrontation.
Border Security Force and Odisha police have now managed to establish their domination in Swabhiman Anchal, once CPI (Maoist) bastion. Due to the remoteness of the area which was known as Cut-Off area, the Left wing extremists had found it suitable to carry out their activities.
However, after a bridge was constructed over the Gurupriya River in 2018, connectivity to the region improved that helped security forces carry out operation with swiftness. Odisha government too implemented development programmes at faster pace. Of late, security forces have been getting frequent intelligence inputs due to installation of mobile towers and laying of road network in Swabhiman Anchal. The LWEs have been pushed back to smaller pocket around Jantri.
