4 Maoist camps in Odisha destroyed

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhawanipatna, Dec 17: Odisha police on Wednesday destroyed as many as four Maoist camps inside Telan reserve forest in M Rampur area of Kalahandi district today.The Maoist camps were destroyed following exchange of fire between the police and the extremists.A top Maoist leader present at the spot, however, managed to flee along with about 40 Maoist cadres, according to Y.K.Jethwa, Inspector General (South-Western Range).Jampanna, the dreaded Maoist leader who managed to escape is a Central Committee Member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).Jampanna is carrying a cash reward of Rs.25 lakhs on his head.Police recovered naxal literature, kitbags, solar panels, radio sets, batteries, uniforms and 18 round of ammunition from the four Maoist camps.There was no casualty among the police team and casualty of Maoists is being ascertained, Jethwa said.Combing operations are continuing in the region, he added.Armed security personnel have been deployed at as many as six locations in Kalahandi district in the recent past to thwart Maoists’ attempt of establishing base in Kalahandi district.