Malkangiri: Local police Sunday arrested five Maoists involved in the murder of a tribal farmer near Dhakadrasi under Mathili police limits in this district October 24.
According to police, security forces led by Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena launched a combing operation and managed to arrest the five while many involved in the killing are still at large.
Police launched multiple anti-Maoist operations in Mathili police station area to apprehend the ultras. Patrolling was intensified in Tulasi Reserve Forest after which the five Maoists were arrested.
The police also seized two bloodstained axes. The identity of the arrested ultras was not revealed as test-identification parade shall be done by the police, SP Meena told reporters at his office Sunday.
Farmer, Anantaram Bhumia (30) of Barubeda village under Mathili police limits in this district was killed by Maoists October 24, on the suspicion of being a police informer.
Bhumia’s body was spotted by locals near a jungle close to the village. According to sources, two unidentified called Bhumia on the pretext of going to watch a ‘jatra’ October 23 night. Unaware of their intentions, his wife insisted he go and enjoy with his friends. Later, Bhumia along with his mother and the two youths went to the ‘jatra’.
Meanwhile, a group of around 25-30 Maoists attacked Bhumia while he was watching the ‘jatra’. Fearing for their lives, the villagers stood there as mute spectators. Even his mother who was in the crowd was threatened though she pleaded with the ultras to free her son.
The Maoists first hacked Bhumia with an axe. Later, one of them stabbed him on his chest before fleeing. He was left profusely bleeding. His mother with the help of some villagers tried to rush him to the Mathili community health centre (CHC) in an auto-rickshaw.
However, Bhumia breathed his last before they could reach the CHC. He is survived by his wife, a three-year-old son and elderly parents.
“He had no links with Maoists or the police. Bhumia was a farmer,” said the SP.
PNN
