Maoists counter Government's Claim in Orissa

In a press release, the Maoists countered the government claim that it killed 30 - 40 Naxals in Operation Gasma. The Maoists admitted that two of their cadres including a woman, were killed in the encounter with the SOG on February 16, 2008. They hailed the attack on Nayagarh and Daspalla as a remarkable achievement in the Maoist history.

According to the press release, PLGA cadres belonging to CPI (Maoists), carried out the attacks on Nayagarh Police Training School, District Armoury, Nayagarh Police Station, Daspalla Police Station, Nuagaon Police Station, and police outposts at Mahipur and Galery. They also claimed the seizure of 50,000 arms and ammunition. However, around 50 per cent of those looted arms and ammunition have been recovered by the security personnel during Operation Gasma.

According to local media, the Maoists have rejected the government claim of gunning down 30 - 40 Maoist cadres and accused the government of resorting to false propaganda to lift the morale of "dejected" policemen. They declared the killed Maoists as "Martyrs" and took pride for killing three Jawans including an Assistant Commandant in the encounter.

The Maoists said they never intended to kill policemen, but it became necessary, as they retaliated. They also warned to carry more such attacks in future, if the government keeps implementing its industrialization policy, which they claimed has displaced the local tribals and poor people.