Bolangir: A day after the exchange of fire between Maoists and security personnel, Director General (DG) of Police, Abhay on Sunday visited Bolangir and apprised the media persons about the encounter.
The DGP said, a Maoist cadre has been killed in the encounter that took place in the forest near Khaprakhol block. The slain militant has been identified as Shankar, a key member of the Bolangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund division of the left wing extremists, he added.
Furnishing further details, the DGP said, an eight-member team of DVF was out on an operation when they were tipped off about the presence of Maoists in the area.
The security personnel soon cordoned the area. Meanwhile, the red rebels opened fire on the security personnel and in retaliation Moaiat Shankar was shot dead. However, two others managed to escape from the spot, said the top cop.
Later, another team rushed to the spot and the search operation was intensified, the senior official said.
” In 2010, Maoist activities were reported in Bangomunda and Turekela areas of Bolangir district. After this, many Maoists have been killed by the security personnel while at least eight people have been murdered by the Maoists on suspicion of police informers.
At first, the organization was growing, with the support of some locals but people turned away,” said the DGP.
“The Maoist organisation could not grow as the support of the locals was declining. As a result, the number of Maoists is declining day by day. At various times, Maoist organisations have been putting banners and posters for showing their presence in the area.
A few days ago, a cadre of KKBN division was apprehended by police and many information was collected. Acting on reliable inputs and timely action, combing operations are being launched and Maoists are being eliminated,” the DGP added.
Along with DGP Abhay, IG Ops Amitabh Thakur, DIG SIW Akhilesh Singh, Northern Range DIG Depak Kumar, Bolangir SP Nitinkusalkar Dagdu, CRPF 16 Battalion officials were also present.
