Security forces on high alert for Martyrs' Week

BERHAMPUR: Security has been tightened in Maoist-hit southern Odisha districts, ahead of Martyrs' Week by Red rebels from Monday.
The extremists observe the week from July 28 to August 3 every year to pay tribute to their leaders and cadres, who lost their lives.
"We have beefed up security with deployment of additional forces in the vulnerable areas apart from intensifying anti-Maoist operations," said DIG (southern range) Amitabh Thakur.
Forces like Special Operations Group (SOG), CRPF, India Reserve Battalion and District Voluntary Force apart from special police officers have been pressed into service.
Patrolling and frisking of long-route vehicles are intensified in Daringibadi, Kotagarh and Bramhanigaon in Kandhamal district, said SP K V Singh. Similar measures have been taken in Gajapati district. "We have alerted the forces in the district. Besides barricades have been put in place along border," said SP (Gajapati) C S Meena.
The district has sufficient forces to face any eventuality, he said.
Police suspect cadres from Bansadhara division of the Maoist organization would try to infiltrate into Rayagada, Gajapati and Kandhamal district.
Meanwhile, police continued to grill top Maoist Sabyasachi Panda on his alleged involvement in extremist-related crimes.
The 10-day police remand would be completed on Monday. After completion of the remand, police are likely to produce him before sub-divisional judicial magistrate's court here. Sabyasachi was arrested late on July 17.
The Crime Branch (CB) is expected to take him on remand for interrogation. Sub-divisional judicial magistrate, Nayagarh, has already granted CB remand of the Maoist leader, official sources said.