Security stepped up in Narayanpatna

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/11/23/stories/2009112352300300.htm)
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Orissa
  

Security stepped up in Narayanpatna


Staff Reporter

Funeral of the two CMAS activists today
BERHAMPUR: Security has been tightened in and around Narayanpatna block of Koraput district of Orissa to check escalation of tension during the funeral of two Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) activists, who died in police firing on Friday. Seven persons were arrested in connection with the incidents that led to police firing. The arrested persons include the leader of the women’s wing of the CMAS, Kumudini Behera.
Around 40 platoons of police force have been deployed in Narayanpatna block and its adjoining areas in Laxmipur and Bandhugaon blocks. They include personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India Reserve Battalion, CoBRA battalion, Orissa Special Strike Force and District Armed Police Reserve.
The CMAS members and activists from outside are planning a public meeting at Podapadar village on Monday. This meeting is to coincide with the funeral of two deceased -- Wadeka Singanna and Andrew Nachika. Police forces have almost fortified the block. Leader of the CPI-ML (Red Flag) Sibram, Radhakant Sethi of CPI-ML (Liberation), B.C. Sarangi of CPI-ML (New Democracy), Prafulla Samantra of Lokshakti Abhiyan and leaders of Orissa Forest Mazdoor Union (OFMU) are expected to attend the meeting to condemn the police firing. The security personnel are maintaining close watch on the situation. The office of the CMAS at Narayanpatna has been sealed off. Police is also keeping a close watch on the entry of outsiders into the Narayanpatna area. Security arrangements in Narayanpatna are being monitored by Koraput Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, south-west range, Sanjeev Panda.

Roads still blocked
Even on Sunday, two out of three roads that connect Narayanpatna to outside world remained blocked. Only the Laxmipur-Naryanpatna road was open for traffic. The Bandhugaon-Narayanpatna and Damanjodi-Narayanpatna roads remained blocked. To prevent entry of security personnel to the villages, CMAS activists also blocked village roads in the interior areas.


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