Tribal women protest anti-Maoist operation

Koraput (Orissa), Apr 15 (PTI) Tribal women today took out a rally in Maoist-hit Narayanpatna in Orissa's Koraput district in protest against proposed special joint anti-Maoist operations in the area.

"Tribals residing in the forests will suffer from the anti-Maoist operations. They will be branded as Maoist supporters and targeted by security forces," the protestors, under the banner of Biplabi Adivasi Mahila Sangha (BAMS) said.

The tribals also put up posters at several places in the district urging the state administration to refrain from such operation.

The protestors handed over a memorandum to officials at the Narayanpatna block office.

The rally was peaceful, police sources said.

This was the second anti-operation rally in the state.

Earlier, tribals in neighbouring Malkangiri district had also opposed the government's plan to launch anti-Maoist operations.