SAMBALPUR: Security forces, engaged in a combing operation in Jujumura block, exchanged fire with the fleeing Maoists at Jadu Loisingh on Wednesday. The combing operation was launched after the Maoists set afire vehicles of the ARSS Infrastructure at Mundher on Tuesday. Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, Sambalpur SP Nikhil Kanodia said during the raid security forces busted a Maoist camp and seized five detonators, Maoist literature, uniforms, ration, utensils and rifles that were snatched from the security guards of ARSS Infrastructure during the swoop. The encounter continued for more than an hour with the security forces firing 300 rounds and lobbing grenades at the Maoists while the latter retaliated with about 100 rounds of gunfire during the retreat. The encounter, it is believed, has shaken the Maoists off the base where they were trying to re-estblish a foothold. Kanodia said the attack on the stone crusher unit led by Girish Bhokta and Kunu Dehuri was an attempt to stall development activities and terrorise contractors. He denied the presence or involvement of any women cadres though five teenagers were spotted. About 20 Maoists had entered the stone crusher unit, overpowered the security guard and snatched his rifle before collecting mobile phones of all the workers present on Tuesday afternoon. They also exploded bombs to scare the workers away before setting on fire 27 trucks and one chain mounted excavator. Meanwhile, on Thursday IG (operations) YB Khurania and IG, CRPF, SN Sabat visited Sambalpur on Thursday and reviewed the situation. However, officials are tight-lipped about the visit.
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