Sunday, July 1, 2012

Police bar on German scribe visit to Red rebels area

Times of India, June 28, 2012
BALANGIR: Kalahandi district police on Thursday prevented a German journalist from venturing into the Maoist stronghold of Lanjhigarh in view of the Red rebels observing protest week from June 26 to July 2. Police identified the journalist as Sandra Petersman, correspondent of ARD German Radio network in New Delhi.
"After we came to know that she had ventured into Lanjhigarh area without informing us, local policemen were directed to advice her not to move in the area as the Maoists have called a protest against security operations," said SP (Kalahandi) Sudha Singh.
The SP added that Sandra later met her and produced a journalist visa and other documents. "We conveyed to her the present situation in Lanjigarh and advised her against visiting the area. It was just an advisory and now it is up to her to go to the area or not," the SP said.
Police have been discouraging the visit of foreigners into Odisha's tribal areas after the Left-wing extremists kidnapped two Italians in Kandhamal district March 14.
Recently, five Germans were spotted in the Maoist stronghold of Turla village in Balangir district's Khaprakhol police station area. After TOI's report on their entry to Maoist area, the police had traced the five Germans and brought them to district police office for verification.
They were later given a stern warning not to venture into Maoist areas.

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