Maoist fear prevails in absence of police station in Orissa village

Kundei/Umerkote (Orissa), Nov. 21 (ANI): Maoist fears prevail in the absence of a police station in the village block of Kundei in Orissa's Nabrangpur District, as the locals live under constant fear of being attacked by the ultras.

The police station that existed here was destroyed by a landmine blast triggered by the rebels in July 2010.

Moreover, the killing of legislator Jagabandhu Majhi this year has created more havoc and fear among the locals.

The villagers here complained about police apathy towards the situation.

"Around one year and two months has passed away after the police station was blasted, but till date no repair work has been done, neither has the new police station been constructed. The locals in the area live under fear and find themselves insecure," said Mihir Dhali, a local.

"If they face any problem or if they want to get a complaint registered then they have to travel 30 kilometres away to Rayagada district. They face a lot of problem and no one from the department visits the area," he added.

When asked whether the police personnel visit this area, Dhali said: "Police visits the area, but they do not stay there, neither do they have their office over there from where they can carry out there work. The locals are unaware about the time at which the police visit the area."

The Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Umerkote District, Ashok Kumar Sahu, however, said that adequate steps were being taken to construct the police station at the earliest and added that they would seek assistance from the armed forces as well.

"Our department is going to shortly construct the building of Kundei police station, which has been blasted last year. Due to some official problem and force problem, it has not been started," said Sahu.

"Soon after the armed force will come, we will definitely going to start the construction work of this police station building including other house efforts, camping arrangement of the force, etc.," he added.

Since the past few years, the rebels have stepped up their efforts against the government, targeting and damaging democratic and civil institutions of the nation, such as schools, medical centres and government property.

Maoists have also significantly increased their presence in tribal and rural regions in the affected states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa.

Stating that the Naxals are the worst violators of human rights, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had earlier last week said the people at large need to understand that the rebels are involved in widespread cases of human rights violation.espite strong initiatives taken by the Centre, the Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly one-third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 states of the country. (ANI)