Bhubaneswar: The movement of commercial and passenger vehicles was disrupted in parts of Odisha as Maoists Saturday began observing `martyrs` week` in memory of rebel leaders killed by security forces, official said.
Passengers had a tough time especially in the interior regions of the southern districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Nabrangpur as jeeps, buses and cars were not running, fearing attacks by the rebels.
"The operators have kept their vehicles off the road for fear of Maoist attacks," a senior official of the state home department said. Government buses were also not playing in several places.
Security has been beefed up in the region to prevent any untoward incidents, he added. Police patrols have recovered posters and leaflets put up by rebels on public walls, appealing people to join them in a "war" against the government and the system.
More than half of Odisha`s 30 districts have Maoist presence. The southern part of the state is considered their stronghold.
Charu Majumdar, founder of Maoist movement in the country, had died in police custody July 28, 1972. The guerrillas have been observing `martyr`s week` since then.
IANS
