Koraput: The 24-hour strike call given by Maoists in Malkangiri evoked little response on Friday, a day after director-general of police R.P. Sharma reviewed the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the district.

The banned outfit had given the strike call in protest against the Polavaram irrigation project constructed by the Andhra Pradesh government on the Malkangiri-Andhra border near Motu and the bridge constructed by the state government over the Gurupriya river to provide connectivity to 151 villages situated across the Balimela reservoir under Chitrakonda block.

While apprehending trouble, the government-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation buses remained off road in the district, private buses and small vehicles remained operating.

Even though several Maoist posters and banners were spotted in various parts of the district, in which the rebels had urged people to observe the strike, shops and markets remained open.

"There is no impact of the strike in the district and life has by and large remained unaffected. Though government buses has remained off road, it has very little impact as sufficient number of private carriers are plying across the district," said Kalimela resident Bhima Madkami.

Sources said that as construction of the Gurupriya bridge was nearly a six-decade-old demand of villagers of the cut-off area, the Maoists opposing it have failed to garner support in their favour.

Police said all precautionary measures were taken to thwart Maoist attack during the strike. "The strike period remains peaceful. Adequate security arrangements were in place to face any eventuality. No violence was reported during the Maoists' observation of the strike," said Malkangiri police superintendent Jagmohan Meena.