BHUBANESWAR: As Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal Government goes after the Left wing extremists, the northern Orissa borders are abuzz again. With Bengal cops on their trail, the Red rebels are heading into the safe havens of bordering zones of Mayurbhanj district. Dense forests and hilly regions contiguous to Similipal have made it easy for them.Sources said there are intelligence inputs about increased movement of the CPI (Maoist) in the northern district and State Police have been alerted.However, what may have come as a solace for the security forces is the low intensity of activity by the radicals in Mayurbhanj. During the year, just one Maoist activity was reported in the district.“Since the rebels use the Mayurbhanj border most in Rairangpur sub-division as their shelter, strategically, they stay clear of any armed operation,” reliable sources pointed out. It is the Bihar-Jharkhand-Orissa Border Special Zonal Committee which operates in the area. Since the region is far off from the district headquarters, on either side of the border, the confrontation is lesser.Last year, the security forces arrested two key accused in connection with the Jnaneswari Express blasts from Betanati police limits bringing to light how the area is used as a safe haven. On May 28, the train had derailed and collided with another one in West Midnapore district’s Jhargram killing 150 passengers. Although CPI (Maoist) declined its involvement, People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), a sympathiser group, came under scanner and later, the leaders were held.“We are aware of the developments and keeping a close watch on the situation. The district police have been put on alert,” IG (Operation) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said.At present, one battalion of CRPF has been deployed along with Special Operation Group (SOG), the anti-Naxal outfit of the State Police.One of the reasons for concern for the security forces has been Similipal Tiger Reserve which was re-opened to tourists for night stay. When area domination operations are carried out, the rebels move into Similipal before relocating again. Since the tiger reserve is used as a shelter, an edgy Orissa Government kept it shut for tourists for over a year and a half after 2009 attacks.A police officer of Mayurbhanj said constant exchange of information with West Bengal Police is maintained so that the rebels are not allowed to enter any new areas.
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