Police have recovered a firearm and ammunition after an encounter with ultras in Odisha’s Malkangiri district. The encounter took place in a forest close to village Kulabeda in Malkangiri district on June 15, police said. “Based on a precise intelligence input about the presence of armed cadres of CPI Maoist for carrying out subversive activities, a searching and area domination operation was launched on June 14 by Odisha Police’s SOG and Malkangiri DVF, in bordering areas of Malkangiri and Koraput District.

 

As the security personnel reached the forest area near village Kulabeda on June 15, ultras opened indiscriminate firing prompting to launch a retaliatory action,” stated police officials. Unable to withstand the retaliatory firing, naxals managed to escape by taking cover of forest and hilly terrain, said the officer. The officer further informed that subsequently after the exchange of fire, the area was thoroughly searched resulting in recovery of arms and ammunition including one INSAS rifle.

 

Subsequent follow up operations are underway in these areas. It may be recalled that recently, Odisha’s CM and DGP have given a call to ultras for surrendering and becoming a part of mainstream. Because of increased police presence and various developmental initiatives, Maoists are losing public support in this area and thus facing the backlash. Also there are credible inputs that many cadres are suffering from COVID 19.