Maoist Shadow On Panchayat Polls Lengthens; Landmine Blast Claims One More Life In Odisha

Phulbani: On a day when Maoist posters appeared at different places in Odisha’s Kandhmal district, a landmine explosion killed a youth under Phiringia police limits on Wednesday.

According to sources, the youth, identified as Priyaranjan Kanhara of Kiamunda village, died on the spot in the explosion near Sadingia- Kiamunda in the district.

The Maoists are suspected to have planted the landmine to prevent the villagers from participating in the panchayat elections. Several posters were found pasted at different places under Baliguda police limits in the district this morning.

On Monday night, the Maoists had set two JCB machines on fire at Kiamunda village under Phiringia police limits of Kandhamal district. Police said the machines belonged to Trishakti firm and were engaged in road construction work from Nuapadar to Pindangi.

The Left-wing extremists had also put up posters, telling the people to desist from participating in the panchayat polls, at the place.

On Tuesday, Inspector General of Police (southern range) Satyabrata Bhoi had assured that the Maoists will not be allowed to disrupt the panchayat polls in any manner and the people should not be scared of their poll boycott call.

“The Maoists are already on the back foot due to continuous operations launched by the police and security forces. They are finding it really difficult to gather any support from the locals and tribals,” Bhoi said.

On February 5, journalist Rohit Biswal of Mohangiri was killed after an IED suspected to have been planted by Maoists exploded near a bridge in Madanpur Rampur area of Kalahandi. The deceased worked for a leading vernacular daily.