Several Maoists killed in Malkangiri; one surrenders in Ganjam

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: Several Maoists were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in the cut-off area of Malkangiri district this morning, while a dreaded Maoist surrendered before the police in Ganjam district in the afternoon.The Maoists were killed in an encounter during a joint operation by Odisha police, Andhra Pradesh police and Central forces in the cut-off area of Balimela reservoir.The police, however, were not able to give the exact number of casualties till evening saying that the operation is still in progress.The joint operation was launched in the cut-off area after intelligence inputs indicated that Ramakrishna alias RK, Central committee member of Communist Party of India (Maoist) was present there.The police were not sure whether RK had managed to escape.On the other hand, Pramod Majhi alias Sagar, a prominent leader of Odisha Maoist Party, surrendered before the police in Berhampur.Majhi was a close aide of Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who was arrested from Berhampur town in July last year.Maoists kill two tribalsIn a separate incident that took place on Sunday night near Kariaguda village in Malkangiri district, two tribals were killed by the Maoists on suspicion of being police informers.The victims, who were reportedly beaten to death by the Maoists, were identified as Jaga Kabasi and Jaga Sodhi.