Maoists attack Kalta mines

Bhubaneswar/Sundargarh: Normal life was thrown out of gear in several Maoist-affected districts of the state on Monday due to the economic blockade called by the CPI- Maoists.

The red rebels had called for a two-day economic blockade starting from Monday morning and a statewide bandh on Tuesday in protest against the arrest of Subhashree Panda alias Mili, wife of top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda.

The situation was worse in the southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Gajapati as vehicular traffic came to a standstill since Sunday night.

As part of the economic blockade the ultras on Monday laid siege to the SAIL Raw Material Division’s Kalta Iron Ore Mines under Koida police station in Sundargarh district.

Around 60 armed Red rebels barged into the mines area around 8 AM and fired five blank rounds.

They forced the 3,400-odd workers to cease work.

They then took the workers and the management of the mines out and held a meeting and asked them to stop work as they had enforced a blockade.

They made them sign an agreement at gunpoint.

Nearly 10 to 12 workers signed the agreement.

The rebels left after abducting a worker leader Thomas Mundary.

Not a single government or private passenger bus could be seen plying in the aforesaid districts since Monday morning.

Both private and government buses were not coming beyond Berhampur town in Ganjam district causing serious inconvenience to the commuters.

Barring one passenger train from Birmitrapur to Bimlagarh which was suspended as a precautionary measure, the train service on Howrah-Mumbai and Howrah-Raigada routes are continuing as usual, railway sources said.

The goods train services in Bandamunda-Bimlagarh route are continuing with police escort during daytime but was suspended during night, the sources said.

The Maoists had also blocked traffic on the roads in Kalimela and Motu areas of Malkangiri by felling trees on Sunday night.

The Maoists had also put up banners at various locations in the region calling Republic Day as Black Day.

The ministers who are supposed to hoist the national flag on Tuesday in the ultra-infested districts will arrive at the venues by choppers.

Security forces have sounded a red alert and are on vigil to foil any adventure by the guerillas.

Meanwhile, due to the Maoist threat the security at the state capital has been heightened for the Republic Day parade at Gandhi Marg.

Besides, 40 platoons of police, sharp shooters, quick reaction teams, Special Protection Group commandoes and CCTV will be installed to see that the parade passes off peacefully.