Acting on a tip-off, a Balangir police team led by district SP R Praksh arrested four Maoist cadres Ram Singh Bariha, Tulsiram Jagat, Debraj Bariha and Ganesh Bariha from the Tureikela area on Thursday. This was announced to mediaperons by Sambalpur DIG Sanjay Kumar here on Friday.
Lauding the efforts of Balangir SP Prakash in nabbing the Maoists, Kumar informed that the ultras were working under the Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund division of the CPI(Maoist) and their area of operation was mainly in Khaprakhol, Lathore, Tureikela of Balangir district, besides the adjoining areas of Bargarh and Nuapada districts.
The arrested cadres had visited the Maoist camps in Chhattisgarh and undergone arms training there. Their main hideouts were the Sunabeda Sanctuary in Nuapada district and the Gandhmardarn hills. They were collecting money from tribals, businessmen and contractors for their Maoist organisation to provide necessary logistics to the cadres, Sanjay Kumar said.
These people were also instrumental in burning of Kendu leaf godowns and in other criminal activities in the areas of their operation, he informed.
Asked to comment on the alleged involvement of Forest Department officials in burning of Kendu leaf godowns, Kumar said, “We are looking into that aspect and have taken up the matter with that department.”
Besides Balangir SP Prakash, Balangir ASP K Siba Subramanim, Nuapada ASP Parul Gupta and Bargarh ASP Alka Meena were also present at the Press conference.
