Koraput: The first day of the Martyrs' Week being observed by Maoists evoked mixed response in the rebel-hit Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts on Saturday.
While fearing Maoist strike, the state government-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation buses remained off roads, private carriers plied on its regular routes in Malkangiri district.
Though business establishments remained open in urban areas of the district and life activities, by and large, remained unaffected, it was badly hit in the interior pockets with shops and markets remaining closed.
"The public transport system has been partially hit in the district. At present, the situation is normal, and no untoward incident has been reported," said Malkangiri police superintendent Jagmohan Meena. Maoist posters and banners were spotted in large number at Kaliemla, Chitrakonda, Kurmanur, Poplur and Motu of the district on Saturday.
Though sources said the Maoists had erected temporary martyr pillars in the forests of Tekguda situated across the Balimela reservoir under Chitrakonda block, the police refused to ascertain the fact.
Similarly, the government-run vehicles remain off roads in the Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon, Lamataput areas of Koraput district and Gudari, Chandrapur and Muniguda areas in Rayagada district fearing Maoist attack.
"All precautionary measures have been taken to thwart any eventuality. A high alert has been sounded in all police stations," said Koraput police superintendent Kanwar Vishal Singh.
Deputy inspector-general (south-western range) Ashish Singh said security personnel belonging to the Odisha police, Special Operations Group, Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force had been deployed at vulnerable places, and vehicles were being frisked to keep tabs on the Maoists.
Every year, the CPI (Maoist) observes the Martyrs Week from July 28 to August 3 in memory of their leader Charu Majumdar, who died on July 27, 1972 in Bengal.
During the week, the Maoists pay homage to Majumdar and their other companions, who had been killed in police firing, by erecting temporary martyr pillars.
