Six suspected Maoist rebels were arrested in the district today on what is the first day of the commemoration by the ultras of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Week.
The ultras were captured during a joint operation by BSF, CRPF, SOG and District Voluntary Force (DVF) personnel in the Rajalkonda forest area, said Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.
The rebels, who were active in the Kalimela area of Malkangiri Division under the Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of the outlawed CPI(Maoist), were moving inside the forest when the security personnel spotted and overpowered them during a joint combing operation, he said.
Involved in Maoist activities since 2006-07, the alleged ultras were involved in a number of offences, including of loot, blasts and killings, police said.
The arrested persons were identified as Deba Kabasi (30), Jaga Kabasi (25), Sukra Kabasi (25), Rama Madkami (25), Soma Podiami (23) and Gobinda Khemudu (22), they said.
The nabbing of the six accused was described by the police as being a major achievement during the PLGA Week, which the Maoists observe to pay homage to the rebels who have died earlier.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident and ensure normalcy in Malkangiri and nearby areas during PLGA Week, the SP said.
Security agencies, including BSF, CRPF, SOG and DVF, have intensified combing operations and patrolling in the area, police said.
