Security forces during an anti-Maoist drive

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 6: The success of the intensified anti-Maoist drive in the Saranda forests bordering Jharkhand has prompted the Orissa government to plan similar operations at other Maoist bastions in the state.

Sources said the Saranda model of flushing out rebels holed up in dense forests would be replicated in districts such as, Malkangiri and Koraput which share borders with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. As in the case of Saranda, where the jawans of Orissa and Jharkhand have joined hands in the anti-Maoist drive, help from Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh would be sought for similar joint initiatives in Koraput and Malkangiri where the rebels appear to have entrenched themselves taking advantage of difficult terrain.

“This is not to say that joint operations have not been carried out in these areas in the past. But, those were more in the nature of routine combing operation along the border with the police of neighbouring states. We need a more focussed and sustained initiative,” said a police officer, adding that this was the right time to launch the operation as the morale of the security forces was at an all-time high.

Sources said Operation Saranda had been a major success with Maoist camps being destroyed deep inside the forests and many cadres being forced to surrender. Last week, five rebels, who had been holed up in the Saranda forests, laid down arms before the police in Rourkela. Earlier, rebel commander Prashant, along with two women colleagues, was arrested in the city while trying to escape.

Maoist commander of the Chhotonagpur division Samarji, who was hiding in the area, however, managed to escape leaving behind arms and ammunition, including four guns, 60 live cartridges and two landmines. The police also seized tiffin bombs from the spot.

Senior police officials said that well planned operations were bound to produce good results in other areas of the state as well. They said rebel bases along the Sundergarh-Jharkhand border were just as strong as they were along the Koraput-Andhra Pradesh and the Malkangiri-Chhattisgarh border. “If the operation in Saranda was a success, similar results could also be expected in Koraput and Malkangiri given proper planning and flawless execution. This is the right time to turn the heat on the rebels,” said an officer.