Poor response to Maoist bandh

Koraput: The first day of the two-day bandh by Maoists in protest against the alleged anti-tribal policies of the state government evoked no response in Malkangiri and Koraput districts on Wednesday. Secretary of Koraput-Srikakulam division of the CPI (Maoist) Daya had given the bandh call and urged people to cooperate with them on these two days.
Buses plied on regular routes in Maoist-hit Narayanpatna, Bandhugaon and Lamataput blocks of Koraput and also in Malkangiri.
Shops, markets and offices too remained open, said a resident of Narayanpatna.
Police said the bandh was a desperate attempt by the Maoists to garner public support.
"The rebels are on the back foot following intensive combing operation in the region. The situation is under control and no untoward incident has been reported so far. Adequate security arrangements have been made in view of the bandh," said SP (Koraput) C S Meena.
The security forces are on high alert to prevent any subversive activities in Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks, said SDPO (Laxmipur) Hemant Kumar Padhi.
The Maoist leader, through a letter to some mediapersons, had accused the state government of favouring industrial houses and torturing the tribals.
He alleged that the government had failed to address the problems of the tribals and denied them rights over land, forest and water.
The rebels are opposing the government's alleged move to hand over Mali, Deomali, Bagho Dongar, Serubandho and Dango Deulo hills in Koraput district to industrialists to mine bauxite, the letter added.