India - Maoist bandh, high alert sounded in Malkangiri

District Security forces have been put on high alert in the district apprehending violence in the wake of the Maoist bandh call on Tuesday. The bandh call has been given by Malkangiri Divisional Committee secretary of the CPI (Maoist) Punam Chandar in protest against killing of their leader Madhav alias Golla Ramullu by security forces. In a press release, Chandar alleged that Madhav was killed in a fake encounter. But the allegation has been refuted by Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh who said it was a “clean” operation.
In view of the bandh call, security has been tightened in sensitive areas like Kalimela, MV-79, Govindpalli, Motu, Chitrakonda, Podia and Mathili, police sources said. Police have been put on high alert in rebels’ strongholds. Border Security Force and Special Operation Group Commandos have been asked to keep a close watch on sensitive areas during the bandh.