Bhawanipatna: Police have successfully averted a major mishap by defusing an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists in a forest in Kalahandi district.
The explosive planted by Maoists on Bhawanipatna-Thuamul Rampur-Kashipur Road, which was blocked with felled trees, was defused by the security forces to clear the road.
The IED allegedly planted by the Maoists, was defused in Kitpadar, around 5 km from Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi. Trees felled to block the Bhawanipatna-Thuamul Rampur-Kashipur Road were removed and Maoist posters were found at the spot.
“A major incident was averted. Combing operation and patrolling has been intensified,” Superintendent of Police Abhilash G said.
Local villagers had informed the police after spotting the IED.
A similar IED was defused by BSF personnel in Malkangiri district on Sunday.
The CPI (Maoist) called the bandh in seven districts of Odisha in support of their 12-point charter of demands. The bandh was called in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Boudh, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam districts.
They put up posters and banners at Pankalguri in Chandrapur block and felled big trees to affect the movement of vehicles.
The Maoists demanded the establishment of Adarsha schools and hospitals in every panchayat of Rayagada district.
