Maoists call the shots in Sunabeda sanctuary

Expressbuzz, Nov 28, 2009
NUAPADA: The Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary spread over 600 square km in Nuapada district seems to have turned into a safe haven for Maoists.The claim of combing operation by the security forces has fallen flat with the Maoists striking at will. And the attempt of the district and police administration to underplay the Maoists’ presence is all set to compound the problem in times to come, said experts.The sanctuary comprises 15 revenue villages and is home to about 15,000 ethnic tribal communities, including Chakutia, Paharias and Bhunjiyas.With development nonexistent, the inhabitants living inside the sanctuary continue to languish in abject poverty. Even Nuapada has hardly seen any development even after it was carved out of Kalahandi as a separate district. Cashing in on the underdevelopment, the Naxals have spread their tentacles in the region. Reports said at least 40 armed Maoists, including 13 women cadres, are stalking the area time and again. The Maoists struck twice in succession killing member of anti-poaching squad Kirish Rout in Kutrabeda on the night of November 15 and former ward member of Sunabeda GP Chandar Singh Barge between Sunabeda and Gatibeda on the night of November 17. After the strikes, the Naxals warned the forest personnel not to erect the gate at Cherechuan which had been razed by them.Again on June 22 night, the Maoists broke down the forest gate and assaulted forest guard Nuapan Majhi and anti-poaching staffer Mansingh Sabaria before melting into the forest. They also burnt down all official documents kept at the gate.In a complaint lodged with Komna police on November 20, forest guards Golak Bihari Mallick and Chattrapati Mahanand besides member of anti-poaching squad Barandu Sagaria alleged that four unidentified armed persons landed at Cherechaun gate and warned them against replacing the broken gate. The armed persons also threatened them with dire consequences if they dared to restrict entry into the sanctuary or collect revenue from outsiders.Similar report has also been received from the forest gate located on the southern side of the sanctuary at Bharuanmunda with forest guard Jhasketan Seth receiving threats from suspected Maoists. Since then forest personnel are in a state of panic and have left the place for safer locations which has been corroborated by senior forest officials. Meanwhile, it is also learnt that a sevashram school located close to forest IB inside the sanctuary has also been closed down. District Social Welfare Officer was not available for comments.