Bhubaneswar: Sixteen members of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit were killed in gun-battles with security forces in Odisha last year.
A report regarding the same was released.
A total of 41 Maoist related incidents including 27 exchanges of fire were reported in Odisha during 2020 in which 7 civilians lost lives & 2 security personnel attained martyrdom.
Following this, 16 hardened Maoist cadres were neutralised in separate exchanges of fire with police.
Seven civilians and two policemen also lost their lives to the violence.
Also, 60 firearms, 63 IEDs and a large quantity of ammunition and explosive materials were seized, the report said.
Maoist activities were reported in Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Koraput, Rayagada, Bolangir, Nabarangpur districts, however, situation reportedly improved in Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district.
Angul, Boudh, Deogarh, Nayagarh and Sambalpur districts have been declared as ‘Maoist-free’ in 2020.
On the other hand, Eight Company Operational Bases (COBs) have been established in Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur and Nuapada districts.
The establishment of COBs helped in intensifying developmental activities in the areas and curbing Maoist menace.
