The articles seized from the Maoist camp. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, March 13: District superintendent of police Prateek Mohanty today said Maoists were trying to re-establish and regroup their cadres here.

Briefing about the exchange of fire between police and the Maoists yesterday at Dangteka and Batloi villages, Mohanty said: “There were 30 to 35 Maoists, including eight to 10 women members. The exchange of fire took place in the Landakot reserve forest, which falls in the Rairakhol police station area. We had specific information about Maoist movement in the area,” said the police superintendent.

“First, the Maoist had fired at the police personnel and then the cops retaliated. The police responded their attack effectively. Around 130 rounds of bullets were fired from our side. The cops also used grenade in the gunfight. No one from our side has received any injury,” he said.

However, the police suspected that two to three Maoists had suffered injuries in the gunfight. This was a joint operation of state police and the CRPF.

“The Maoists were using sophisticated weapons such as AK, INSAS and SLR. We have destroyed one of their camps and seized several articles from the site,” he added.

The police seized utensils, medicines, uniforms, Maoist literature, grocery commodity, ammunition bags and other things from the Maoist camp. Following the incident, they have intensified combing operation in the area.

“The Maoists are trying to revive their organisation in the locality. The Maoists from Jharkhand are providing all help, including arms and ammunition, to regroup the organisation here in the Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh region,” said Mohanty.