Maoist shadow over Kalahandi

Newindpress, 15th July, 2008

BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi is a critically vulnerable district from Maoist point of view as neighbouring districts Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Phulbani and bordering State Chhattisgarh are Maoist infested.However, despite the threat of Maoists looming large over the district, vital installations here are going without any adequate security cover. The Indravati Project, which is one of the vital installations of the district, is one of the most vulnerable from security point of view.There are other vital installations like surge tanks, valve house, power house, four dams, eight dykes and a barrage which are guarded by homeguards and private security personnel who are unarmed. Reservoir of the Indravati dam is surrounded by mountains and there are 65 villages inside the reservoir area.Like Chitrakonda, this is also a vulnerable spot and prone to Naxal attack. As per intelligence reports, some unknown persons were found to be moving in the forest areas of Lanjigarh, Thuamul Rampur and Madanpur Rampur areas in recent times.Though police teams launched combing operations in some places, they did not taste much success. Experts say ultras sneaking into the forests of Kalahandi in search of safe haven cannot be ruled out in view of police action in neighbouring areas. But ironically the police administration is least prepared to meet any eventuality.According to sources, the strength of police personnel in the district is far below the required strength. One post of additional SP, two posts of DSP, five posts of inspector, 15 posts of SI, as many posts of havildar and 42 posts of constable are lying vacant in the district.Besides this, against the required strength of 184 APR personnel in the district only 138 are stationed. There are also no trained personnel to counter any law and order problem in case there is a Maoist attack.