Maoist bandh evokes lukewarm response in Odisha districts

A two-day bandh called by Maoists in Malkangiri and parts of Koraput district demanding pullout of security forces engaged in anti-naxal operation and halt to alleged torture of tribal women, evoked lukewarm response on the first day today.
Security has been tightened throughout the area and along the border of two neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, which were sealed off in view of the bandh, Malkangiri superintendent of police Akhileswar Singh said.
Although the bandh called by Malkangiri Maoists Divisional Committee had little impact, normal life was affected to some extent in the the ultra-infested strongholds including Kalimela, Padia and MV-79 in the hinterland, police said.

Vehicular traffic was thin all over the district while government offices functioned normally, they said.
Maoist posters put up at different places alleged that people in the district were striving to get their basic needs fulfilled but, instead to paying any heed, the government is pursuing repressive measures against innocent public.
In the name of anti-Maoist operation, security personnel are implicating innocent people and torturing tribal women, the posters said.