Phulabani, As a part of programme to make Kandhamal district mao free by 2026,anti-mao operation spedup in Kandhamal district.During the operation a mao camp busted on 06.01.2025,said southern range IG,Sarthak sadangi,today.He said,based on reliable input, a joint Anti Naxalite Operation of Odisha Police and CRPF was launched since 03.01.2025 under Baliguda and Tumudibandha P.Ss area of Kandhamal district and M. Rampur P.S. area of Kalahandi district by utilising SOG and ‘B” Coy of 127th Bn CRPF stationed at Sindiponkal.During the course of operation,on 06.01.2025,while SOG was combing the area,they found a Maoist camp near village Marduli under Baliguda P.S. limits.During the search,the combing party unearthed a good quantity of mao articles,besides fire arms,ammunitions and two Improvised Explosive Devices(IED).A bomb disposal team defused the two IED bombs said Kandhamal SP,Harish BC.He said,the materials found,suggest around 15 Naxals,believedly of KKBN division were living in the camp.It is note worthy to mention here that,earlier Malkangiri,Koraput,Nabarangpur,Rayagada,Boudh,nayagarh,Kalahandi,Nuapada etc districts were adjudged mao-prone.Now when mao activities in the districts reduced to a great extent,the mao activity on rise in Kandhamal.Sources said as Kandhamal sorrounded by dense forest and hilly terrins in Nayagarh,Boudh,Kalahandi,Rayagada,Gajapati and Ganjam districts,maoists prefer Kandhamal as their safe hideout.As per sources,two factions of maoists exists in Kandhamal district.While a group formed Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh(KKBN),the other group formed Basadara Ghumusur Nagavali(BGN)and active in Kandhamal-Rayagada-Gajapati district.Though no such major activities of mao not came to fore in Kandhamal,but the two factions of mao groups with their area committees has sorrounded Kandhamal district taking adventage of geographical situation.They also shelter the maoists of Chatisgarh whenever required.However,now along with CRPF,SOG,BSF and DVF jawans engaged in mao eliminate programme in Kandhamal.
