Maoist bandh paralyses Narayanpatna

KORAPUT/JEYPORE: The two-day bandh call by Andhra-Orissa Boarder Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) of CPI (Maoist) paralysed traffic in several areas of Narayanpatna on Friday.  Trees have been felled to disrupt traffic with communication from Laxmipur to Narayanpatna and towards Bandhugaon completely blocked. Though the bandh was called on short notice, the impact has been unprecedented in the backdrop of kidnapping of Jhina Hikka. The mediapersons covering the event too are hauled up in the jungles of Naryapatana.The Maoists are protesting the entry of military from Chhattishgarh and have demanded withdrawal of the forces. Besides, they have asked for a ban on liquor in tribal areas, land rights for tribals and closure of paramilitary forces camps in the region. On Thursday night, the Maoists had set construction vehicles of a contractor afire at Pendajam village under Semliguda police limits.  SP Avinash Kumar said the road blockade will be soon cleared.