Maoists put up road blockade in Koraput

Maoist-hit Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon in Orissa's Koraput district remained cut-off from the rest of the state today due to blockade by the ultras who felled trees on Laxmipur-Narayanpatna Road, official sources said.

The blockade came on the fourth day of their seven-day economic blockade observed by the Andhra-Orissa Border Committee of the Maoists since April 24.

Since Sunday vehicular movement has been paralysed on the inter-state road connecting Bandhugaon-Parbatipur after the Maoists damaged a culvert near Almonda.

In the latest incident, sources said, the red rebels have felled trees at few places on the 20 km forested and hilly road between Laxmipur-Narayanpatna to bring the traffic to a standstill.
   
"The block is now completely isolated from the district headquarters. We are trying to remove the blockades but also examining all security measures," said SDPO (Laxmipur) Y Jagannath Rao.