Joint Operation by BSF and Odisha Police Leads to Arrest of Two Maoists
In a significant breakthrough, a joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Odisha Police has resulted in the arrest of two prominent Maoist leaders. Among those apprehended are Kesa Kawasi, a member of the banned CPI-Maoist’s Kangerghti area committee, and Rakesh, also known as san Kunjam, a member of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) active along the Andhra-Odisha border.
Acting on intelligence reports, the special anti-Maoist squad (SOG) of the Odisha Police, in collaboration with the BSF, launched a raid in the dense forests of Sodiguda and Tetuliguda villages on Friday. This operation successfully captured the two Maoist leaders, who were reportedly involved in various activities across the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border. Notably, this area has been a hotspot for Maoist insurgency, and the recent arrests underscore the ongoing efforts to combat this threat.
Interestingly, earlier in 2023, the BSF’s 142nd Battalion had uncovered a substantial cache of weapons in the vicinity of the Gokhagir and Merigetta-Tekguda forests in Malkangiri, further highlighting the persistent challenges posed by Maoist groups in the region. The recent arrests not only reflect the effectiveness of coordinated security operations but also raise questions about the future of Maoist activities in this volatile area.
