Maoist items seized in Kandhamal forest

Berhampur: Security forces seized Maoist items, including a large cache of arms and ammunition from Matabarhi forest in Kandhamal district’s Daringbadi police station limits, police said on Tuesday.Among the weapons seized by the security forces were seven firearms, around 100 rounds of ammunition, 10 SBGL grenade, 30 electric detonators, 5 walkie-talkies, several Maoist literature, medicines, ration items, utensils, etc. The Maoist items had been concealed in a cave and found on Monday during an anti-Maoist operation conducted jointly by the DVF and SOG in the area, said SP (Kandhamal) Harish BC. The operation was carried out in Pakari, Babuti, Jamabarhi, Matabarhi and Gaburi, among other areas over two days, said the SP.Even though the deadline of March 31 to end the Left-wing extremism set by the Centre has ended, the anti-Maoist operation will go on. Around 8 to 9 Maoist are still in the district.The female cadres outnumber their counterpart male counterparts in the group. The group has only one Odia cadre from Rayagada district’s Kashipur area while others are from Chhattisgarh, police said. “We appeal to the group to surrender,” said the SP.