The coastal state of Odisha including its left wing extremist- affected places like Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district celebrated the 74th Republic Day with great patriotic fervour despite the threat of Maoists.
People from all walks of life including school children defied the boycott warning by Maoists and organized the Republic Day function with gaiety and enthusiasm with police, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel taking active part in the function in some of LWE-hit areas.
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Suspected Maoists of left wing extremism outfits put up black flags in some pockets of Chitrakonda and Kalimela areas in Malkangiri district, appealing the people to boycott the Republic Day observance.
Senior police officers and BSF jawans attended R-Day functions at different places in areas which were earlier considered as Maoist-infested. Special security arrangements had been made in these areas.