Public transport crippled on day 1 of Martyrs' Week

KORAPUT: The first day of the Martyrs' Week, observed by the Maoists, evoked mixed response in Red-hit Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts on Tuesday.
While the 100-km forested road between Malkangiri and Motu wore a deserted look with both private and government run buses remaining off the roads, traffic was normal in other parts of the Malkangiri district.Scores of passengers were seen stranded at various bus stops in the district.
"Since morning I am waiting at a bus stand to go to Motu, but there is no sight of one," said Gopo Mohapatra, a passenger at Malkangiri bus stand. Fearing Red attacks, traders downed their shutters in Kalimela.
"Public transport system was partially hit in the district. The situation is normal and no untoward incident has been reported," said SP (Malkangiri) Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.
Sources said the Maoists have erected temporary martyr pillars in the forests of Tekguda and the cut-off area in Malkangiri to pay homage to their dead comrades.
Government-run buses remained off the roads at Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Lamataput in Koraput district and Gudari, Chandrapur and Muniguda in Rayagada district. "Buses in 16 routes were cancelled in Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada districts. We can't take a chance. Our service to Malkangiri district will remain suspended till August 3, the end of the Martyrs' Week," said district transport manager of OSRTC's Jeypore division Rajendra Pujari.