Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: Security forces, which waited patiently for the rainy season to draw to an end, are planning a major operation in the cut-off areas of Malkangiri, considered a Maoist hotbed.
A source said the BSF would join hands with the state police, including the special operations group jawans, to launch an all-out offensive against the rebels in this area, which is known as the “cut-off area” because of its difficult terrain and location beyond the Balimela reservoir.
The only means of communication with the mainland for around 20,000 people staying in the seven panchayats of this belt are boats.
Thirty-eight jawans of Andhra Pradesh’s elite greyhound force were killed by the Maoists here in 2008. The rebels opened fire at them while they were trying to cross the Balimela reservoir on their way back from a combing operation.
In February 2011, the then collector of Malkangiri, R. Vineel Krishna, was kidnapped by the rebels from here. He was released after a week following negotiations between the state government and the Maoist-appointed interlocutors.
Senior police officials said the time was right for mounting an operation against the rebels holed up in this area as the police morale was high following a string of arrests and surrenders by the Maoists in Malkangiri district.
“As the rainy season is over, we can now cross rivers and rivulets in this area with ease and move through the jungles with confidence,” said an officer, adding that police forces from Chhattisgarh might lend a helping hand.
“Co-operation from Chhattisgarh is important considering its geographical proximity to the cut-off area and the fact that rebels have been operating on both sides of the border from here,” explained the officer, exuding confidence about the success of the operation if things went as planned. He, however, sought to emphasise the need for strengthening the police intelligence network in the area before launching the final attack.
“Even the best laid plans may go haywire without proper intelligence inputs,” the officer said.
