Bolangir - Baragarh – Mahasamud (BBM) Division of the CPI (Maoist) is operating in Odisha – Chhattisgarh border. Baragarh and Bolangir are the two affected districts on Odisha side. The Division under the leadership of Alvala Chandrahas @ Pramod @ Pandu (Secretary, BBM Division) is having two Platoons i.e. Baragarh LOS and Bolangiri LOS operating in Baragarh and Bolangiri district borders. The groups are actively engaging themselves in anti- national activities and have committed serious crimes in the past.
On 12.05.2018, credible information was received regarding the presence of armed CPI (Maoist) cadres in Magur forest under Bender II Reserve Forest near village Dudukomal under Belapada PS of Bolangir district. It was learnt that the group would indulge in serious unlawful activities in that area. On getting this information, a joint anti – naxalite operation was planned and launched with one unit of DVF and one unit of SOG under the direct leadership of Shri K. Siba Subramani, IPS, S.P, Bolangir. In the night at about 1.00 AM, while the operation teams were approaching the area, a group of 8-10 armed CPI (Maoist) in olive green uniform was sighted. When the operation teams asked them to surrender before the police and not to indulge in anti – national / unlawful activities, the members of the banned CPI (Maoist) opened indiscriminate fire at the Security Forces (SOG / DVF). Finding no other way out, the Security Forces opened fire at the CPI (Maoist) cadres. This ensued in a fierce gun fight between the Securty Forces and the CPI (Maoist) cadres The CPI (Maoist) cadres fled the area into the jungle taking advantage of the darkness. During search of the area immediately, the Security Forces recovered two dead bodies, who are identified as (1) Sanjeeb of village Puarti, PS – Jagarkunda, District – Sukuma (Chhattisgarh) and (2) Rakesh of Chhattisgarh. Sanjeeb is a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) and carries a reward on Rs. 5.00 lakh on his head. Rakesh is an Area Committee Member (ACM) and carries a reward of Rs. 4.00 lakh. The Security Forces also recovered one AK – 47 rifle with 02 magazines and 03 rounds of live ammunition, one INSAS rifle with 02 magazines and 24 rounds of live ammunition, one navigation compass, one big knife, etc. It is suspected that some more CPI (Maoist) cadres are injured in this Exchange of Fire. The combing operations are still on.
The death of the two hardened senior cadres of CPI (Maoist) is a big blow to the outfit and will curtail their activities to a large extent which was hitherto going on unchecked. The successful operation is a big boost to the confidence of the Security Forces as well as the people of the area.
