Zero Maoist violence in Narayanpatna block this year: SP

Narayanpatna block in Odisha's Koraput district which was once regarded as a Maoist hotbed has recorded zero violence by naxals since January this year, a senior police officer said.

Putting up 'anti-government' posters, killing of civilians on charges of being police informers, attack on government buildings and establishments, roads and giving bandh call have now became a thing of the past, said Koraput Superintendent of Police, Kanwar Vishal Singh.

"It can be certainly said that Maoists are on the back foot in Narayanpatna. Influence of naxals is on the wane. There has been sharp fall in their organisational strength," said Singh.

Intensive combing operations by security forces and community policing programmes to address various problems of the villagers are paying dividends and the Maoist leadership is demoralised in the area, he said.

"Though the Maoist leadership is disillusioned and demoralised, we cant afford to be complacent as in guerrilla warfare sometimes the Maoists do tactical retreat to execute some major offensive," the SP said.

Sharing boundary with Andhra Pradesh, Narayanpatna was often under the influence of Maoists. The thick forest cover and it remoteness had always helped the red rebels.

However, with intelligence based operations the police have arrested as many as 25 Maoists and gunned down at least four Naxals in an exchange of fire which had taken place on March 18, have certainly pushed the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of the banned outfit, which operates in the area, to corner, police said.

Intelligence sources said presently, around 25 armed Maoists are active in the district but their movement has been restricted to certain pockets.

Police said the Maoists are gradually loosing their tribal support base in Narayanapatna as villagers are withdrawing their support from the red rebels as they have realised that they got nothing by supporting the Naxals.

"The gap between the police and Maoists has decreased in recent times. Also, we act as a facilitator to ensure that the basic infrastructure like drinking water, electricity, healthcare and road network are strengthened in naxal-hit villages," the SP said.

The residents of Narayanpatna, where Maoists ruled the roost, are also upbeat over decline in naxal activities.

"It has been a conducive environment in the area for past eight months for extensive combing operations by security forces. We hope that the peaceful situation will continue for long," said a resident of the area.