Bhubaneswar: The stepped-up drive against Maoists is paying dividends, especially in districts such as Malkangiri and Koraput that were once considered rebel strongholds.

"Sustained operations by security forces has pushed the Maoists back into forests and hills," said Malkangiri superintendent of police Jagmohan Meena. He said the Maoists had killed 11 civilians in 2017. "In most cases, they dubbed the victims as police informers. But in reality, we don't have so many informers. These killings are nothing but an attempt by the rebels to spread terror among the people," said Meena.

Meena, who keeps in regular touch with his counterparts in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh - both known for rebel activities, also expressed hope that completion of the Gurupriya bridge over the Chitrakonda reservoir, would make it easy for forces to penetrate into the district's "cut-off" area, so called because of its difficult terrain. "It will be a big help," he said.

The officer claimed that the Maoists were increasingly losing support among the tribal people, who used to provide them both shelter and crucial information about the movement of police and central forces. "There is no support for them now. We have also launched initiatives to educate the tribal people," he said.

Similar confidence about containing the rebel activities was also exuded by Koraput superintendent of police K.V. Singh. "There has been no major violence by the Maoists in the district since August last when they had killed the Hatibari sarpanch. We had arrested three persons in connection with that murder," said Singh.He said support for the rebels among the tribal people was dwindling. The officer, who monitors movement of the Maoists on the district's border with the help his counterparts from neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, said steps were being taken to involve tribal people in community policing.

Malkangiri and Koraput have been the focus of Odisha's anti-Maoist drives, mainly because of the fact that these two districts share long borders with Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, which also have a strong Maoist base.

Among other districts, where security forces are expected to step up operations against the rebels, are Rayagada, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Balangir.