Maoists on Sunday hoisted black flags at several places in Orissa’s Koraput and Malkangir districts.
Independence Day could not be celebrated in several schools and government offices in the interior parts of the two districts as the militants threatened to try the teachers and government officials in praja court if they defied their diktat not to unfurl the tricolour in the school and office premises.
On the eve of the I-Day, the rebels on Saturday evening had blown up a school building at Mayamkonda village in Malkangiri district, thus sending a threat to the local administrations.
In Bhubaneswar, chief minister Naveen Patnaik strongly condemned the Maoist activities and said his government was determined to root out the Naxal outfits operating in the state.
“The Naxals are obstructing progress of the state. They want to derail the peace and economic development initiatives started by the government. I want to make it clear to them that they would not succeed in their attempt,” Mr Patnaik, while unfurling the tricolour at the state-level parade here, said. The CM said his government was making constant endeavour to ensure economic and social development and bring peace in Maoist-affected areas. “My government has taken up several measures for economic development in the Maoist-affected areas. We are focusing on infrastructure development and creating of livelihood opportunities for the local people. But the rebels want to disrupt all such attempts,” the chief minister alleged.
Meanwhile, mocking at the three-tier security ring thrown around Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik, a 30-year-old youth on Sunday approached Mr Patnaik for a handshake when he was being seen off by senior government officials and police personnel after unfurling the tricolour at the state level function here at Mahatma Gandhi Road on Sunday morning.
The youth, who was identified as Ashok Das, a resident of Unit-8, Bhubaneswar, said was immediately taken into custody for interrogation.
Claiming that he was BJD worker, Mr Das said he did not have any ill-intention and just wanted to shake hands with the CM.
“I’m a BJD worker and avid admirer of Naveen Patnaik. I just wanted to shake hands with him,” Mr Das said. “We have taken up the matter seriously and ordered a probe to find out how such a security breach occurred. Whosoever will be found responsible will face disciplinary actions,” commissioner of police, Mr Bijay Sharma said.