Malkangiri: Fearing threat to their lives from Maoists, villagers of several panchayats under Chitrakonda block in Malkangiri district refrained from celebrating Independence Day on Tuesday.
Not a single village under Papluru, Kurumanulu and Jantri panchayats hoisted the national flag as the rebels had earlier asked them abstain from the same and instead observe the occasion as black day.
On Monday, the Maoists had put out posters at Chandahandi road near Karalapada under Jharigaon police limits in Nabarangpur district urging people to unfurl black flag on the day.