Maoists Abduct Four Villagers In Kalahandi

Bhawanipatna: Maoists abducted four persons, including a gram Rakhi (village guard) from Lakhpadar village under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district on Friday, informed DIG, South Western Range S Saini.

The abductees have been identified as Babula Nayak, Raju Nayak, Khetra Harijan and Bisikeshan Harijan.

According to sources, a group of 10-15 armed Maoists stormed into the houses of these persons in the afternoon and took them away forcibly.

“Though the exact reason behind the abduction is not yet clear, it is suspected that the members of Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagabali division of CPI (Maoist) have kidnapped the villagers on suspicion of being police informers,” a police officer said.

Following the incident, Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) jawans and police personnel have intensified combing operations in the area.

On February 16, a super-class contractor engaged in construction of Bijepur-Pajibahali road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was shot dead by Red rebels near Pajibahali village under Lanjigarh block of the district.