Orissa police launches poster campaign against Maoist menace

Rayagada (Orissa), Sep 5 (ANI): In a bid to step up the fight against Maoist insurgency, police officials in Orissa on Monday began a poster campaign that highlights the latter's atrocities and details a government package for surrendered guerrillas.

Hundreds of such posters reflecting the state government's package for Maoists who surrender, and others describing their massacres have been displayed at various places in the tribal town of Rayagada in Orissa.

P.K. Bhoi, Additional Superintendent of Police, Rayagada said that the police through their poster campaign, have urged the Maoists to return to the mainstream society.

"As you see for the last few years naxal (Maoist) menace is on increase in our country particularly the barbarism and a lots of violence which we are noticing are increasing. So, at this juncture we appeal to the Naxals (Maoist) to refrain themselves from such violent activities and they should come to the mainstream of the society sothat our society will progress and there will be a healthy atmosphere in the society," said Bhoi.

Meanwhile, locals welcomed the initiative taken by the police officials, and have urged Maoists to put down their arms and derive benefit through various financial assistance schemes started by the state government.

"This is a very good initiative taken by the police to urge the youth who have taken a wrong path and joined the Maoists outfits. The police have pasted posters all over the place urging Maoists to come back to the mainstream society. The state government has given them an opportunity and they should grab it," said Kali Ram Manjhi.

Others felt that if veteran social activis, Anna Hazare could bring a revolution against graft in the society following the non-violent path, then the Maoists should also leave violence and join the state government in various development projects across the country.

The police have put up banners and posters all over the Rayagada area to educate the youth from refraining them to enter the violent path. They want to educate the youth to take up the non- violent path as done by Anna Hazare who brought a revolution against graft in the country.' The police want to educate the youth that we can progress if we follow the non-violent path," said Biswa Rajguru. (ANI)