Orissa villagers wants stay back in camps due to Maoist threat

SUNDARGARH - Nearly 3000 people from several villages of Sundargarh district of Orissa are living in tents and refuse to return to their villages due to threat from the Maoists organisation.

Villagers of Mahupada, B.Jharabeda and Ratulghata are living in immense fear as Maoists recently attacked them and threw them out of their houses.

The villagers, mainly tribals, became the victims of Maoists anger as they had decided to help police and district administration in the combing operation against Maoists.

They were provided security for some time but later it was withdrawn.

However, police officials say that security measures would be put in place to boost the morale of these villagers.

“We have been taking all the steps so that villagers will return to their villages. First of all we are in the process of stationing contingent of force in that village so that it will boost the morale of the villagers and they will feel safe to return,” said P.B Acharya, a police official.

Acharya added other facilities like healthcare and blankets are also provided to the villagers in the relief camps.

According to a study, 133 Maoists related incidents of violence were reported from 12 Districts of the State in the year 2009.

Maoist activity in the Sundergarh District has increased manifold.

Earlier, the abduction and subsequent killing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police, Ajit Bardhan, during the looting of an explosive-laden vehicle in Sundergarh District generated shock waves in the State.

In 2009, the Maoists made seven attacks on six Police outposts, blowing them up and destroying vehicles and official documents.

In February 2009, State Government officials admitted before a visiting Central Government team that nearly half of the Plan expenditure allocated for Naxal affected Districts was cornered by the Maoists. (ANI)