Bhubaneswar, February 11 The Odisha Police are preparing to launch a major anti-Maoist operation in the Gandhamardhan hills, a top officer said.
Additional Director General (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda said that a plan has been drawn up to arrest or neutralize some Naxalite rebels taking refuge in the Gandhamardhan hills, which cover the Bolangir and Bargarh districts.
Additional personnel from the CRPF and the state police's elite special operation group (SOG) will be deployed for the operation.
Panda said that the Odisha Police are optimistic about meeting the March 31 deadline for declaring the state, as well as the country, "Naxal-free."
He said that at least five districts – Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Koraput, and Boudh – have so far been declared "Naxal-free" following the surrender of Maoist cadres.
The ADG said that the police have already intensified intelligence gathering from both districts.
He held a meeting with the stakeholders and SPs of both districts. Maoist activities have been reported in the hill range since 2008, and several gun battles have taken place in the area, the police said.
The recent decision, police sources said, is based on intelligence reports about a resurgence in Maoist activity in Gandhamardan after a period of lull.
Besides Gandhamardan, some Maoists might also be taking refuge at the tri-junction of the Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Kalahandi districts, another senior officer associated with anti-Naxal operations said.
"All efforts are being made to ensure that Naxalites are eliminated before March 31," he said.
Panda also reiterated the state government's appeal to the Naxalites to come forward and join the mainstream by availing the benefits of the revised surrender and rehabilitation policy.
The ADG said that some Maoists are holed up in the Kandhamal district, and efforts are being made to ensure their surrender before March 31.
Nearly 45 Maoists have surrendered to the Odisha Police in a span of about 70 days since a notification on the revised surrender and rehabilitation scheme was issued on November 27 last year.
