Maoists seek to pre-empt major operation against them

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/11/14/stories/2009111452230300.htm)
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Maoists seek to pre-empt major operation against them


Sib Kumar Das

Only on Tuesday Maoists killed four persons including a Special Police Officer
BERHAMPUR: Maoists challenged the efforts of major operation against them in Orissa by killing three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in a landmine blast in Malkangiri district on Friday.
Union Home secretary G.K. Pillai was expected to visit Orissa on November 20 to hold discussions on law and order especially the naxal issue.
The proposed special operation against Maoists in the State was also to be discussed. Before the government could settle down the plans, the Maoists showed up their fangs. Maoists had shot dead four persons including a Special Police Officer (SPO) at Pandratala village in Rayagada district on Tuesday. Through killing of seven persons including three security personnel within three days, Maoists have dared the State government’s plans to seek a joint anti-naxal operation in consultation with the Centre.
Maoists targeted a large convoy of the CRPF personnel of the eighth battalion that had been posted in MV79 village camp about four months back. According to sources this battalion was being taken out of Malkangiri district in a short notice.
They had wound up their camp and were on their way to Jeypore in Koraput district via Malkangiri town.
It is alleged that although this large convoy of 21 vehicles was to be moved, the local police had not been properly alerted regarding this troop’s movement. It is obvious that due to their short stay the CRPF personnel from outside the State were also not proficient with the hilly jungle roads of the district.
It is suspected that the Maoists had however kept track of the activities of this CRPF camp at MV79 village. The packing loading of goods into the trucks at the camp few days ahead must have alerted the naxals to plan up an assault against them.
They had chosen a culvert near the MV23 village to plant their landmine aimed at the CRPF convoy. Initial investigation has revealed that Maoists must have waited overnight behind a bush around 30 meters away from the spot of blast to trigger the landmine when the convoy crossed the spot.
Usually a ‘road opening party’ precedes such a convoy to sanitise the road. But it was alleged that the convoy had reached the spot of blast before ‘road opening party’. Proper scrutiny of the culvert which had strategically located large bush nearby could have revealed the landmine which is suspected to be packed with 50 kilograms of explosives.
The intensity of the blast was so great that the targeted truck was thrown around 30 metres into the air.
The driver of the vehicle, Narendra Kumar was thrown out to a distance of 50 meters. The other victims were the deputy commandant Bhupinder Singh and a jawan Sunil Kumar.
The police and CRPF personnel paid last respects to the martyrs at the district headquarter town of Malkangiri. Arrangements are being made to transport their bodies to their homes.


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