BALANGIR: Will Sunabeda Tiger Reserve in Nuapada district and Harishankar Park in Balangir district face the same fate as that of Similipal Tiger Reserve? With the Maoists turning the two tourist attractions into their operational hubs, the apprehensions may soon turn true. The recent gun battle between Maoists and security forces in Sanbanjipali village near Harishankar, resulting in the death of a woman cadre, has only heightened the locals’ fear. Two major drawbacks on the security front which are reasons enough for the rebels to camp here are -- the neglected west-side of the Sunabeda reserve in Nuapada district and under-developed Khaprakhol block in Balangir, under which Harishankar falls.The presence of Maoists came to the knowledge of the tourists only after the security forces launched combing operation. “We learnt about the place being vulnerable only when we heard about a Maoist killed in gun battle”, said Pradip Hota, a tourist, who was with his family the day the woman cadre was killed.Significantly, the villages near Harishankar hill are inhabited by poor tribals, the section most vulnerable to being lured by the ultras. Chabripali, infamous for the starvation deaths of five members of a family and large number of migrations, could well be the prime target of Maoists, it is suspected. With the officials fearing to tread the path that former Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna opted for and Harishankar left out by the security forces who are conducting a recee, there is every possibility that Maoists are building up a base here. Harishankar is nestled in Gandhamardan hill, which separates Balangir from Bargarh district, another hotspot for tourists as well as Maoists. Balangir SP Awinash Kumar said adequate steps will be taken to ensure security of tourists. The place is absolutely safe for tourists, said the SP. He, however, said the officials making field visits should inform the police before planning one.
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