Maoists threaten police officials in Kashipur

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2010/02/19/stories/2010021952420300.htm)
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Maoists threaten police officials in Kashipur


Staff Reporter



They were asked to desert their police station in naxal infested Rayagada district



Investigation on regarding the origin of threat posters, says ASPNaxal threats to policemen are not new in Rayagada district


BERHAMPUR: Maoist posters threatening some police officials to leave police force or to depart from the area have appeared in Kashipur area of naxal infested Rayagada district of south Orissa on Thursday.
According to sources these posters were found near the block office square of Kashipur. The posters targeted at the Inspector incharge (IIC) of Kashipur police station P.C.Mohanty, a home guard Somanath Nayak and a gramrakshi Ganapati Nayak. The Maoists intimidated the IIC to leave Kashipur area and the other two subordinates were threatened to leave the police force within next 15 days. The Maoists threatened of dire consequences if the policemen failed to obey them.

Anti-naxal operation


These threats come at a time when the State government is thinking of starting strong anti-naxal operation in the State from south Orissa. The Centre has agreed to provide an additional eight battalions of central paramilitary forces for the joint operation against the Left-wing extremists. While five battalions of paramilitary forces will be deployed in south Orissa, another three battalions will be allotted for northern and western parts of the State.
When contacted the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Rayagada, P.K.Bhoi said investigation was on regarding the origin of these posters.
It may be noted that for the first time Maoists have claimed their presence in Kashipur block of Rayagada district through these posters. Kashipur block is known for the continuing anti-alumina project protests. It is felt that naxals may try to use this anti-industrialisation agitation for their gains. They have already tried it in Kalinganagar area.
Naxal threats to policemen are not new to Rayagada district. In November 2009, naxals had murdered four persons at Pandratala village under Chandili police station area. One of them was Anand Mandangi a newly appointed Special Police Officer (SPO) for the anti-naxal operations. The Maoists had left posters in Telugu and Oriya threatening people to refrain from joining police force or to have any links with police and administration.
During his tenure in Rayagada district the former SP of the district, Ashis Kumar Singh had also received threats from Maoists through a press release after a series of arrests and surrenders of Maoist cadres in the area. In 2006, the leftist vagrants had killed a homeguard at Gudari.






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