Kalimela: Maoists killed two persons including an ex-ward member of Sudhakonda village under MV-79 police limits late Thursday night, even as the entire Malkangiri district was put on high alert in the wake of gruesome killing of 25 CRPF jawans in neighbouring Chhattisgarh in an ambush by the ultras.
The deceased were identified as former ward member as well as village head Rama Madkami (55) and Bishu Kirshani (45).
The two were shot at point blank range inside a forest near the village while one of Bishu’s hands was chopped off by the ultras, it was learnt. The police couldn’t save the lives of the two tribals even as Kalimela police station is not far from the place, villagers said.
According to reports, nearly 10 armed rebels came to the village at about 1 am in search of Bishu and Rama. They managed to trace the duo and dragged them out of their houses.
The ultras then took them to a secluded place in the nearby forest on the pretext of holding a meeting with them despite the resistance of both the families.
The family members of the two wanted to accompany them but were not allowed by the ultras. Scared, they called other people of the village and followed the Maoists.
But by the time the villagers reached the forest, the ultras had left the place after killing the two. The villagers then brought the bodies to the village.
The police were yet to reach the village at the time of the filing of this report. The Maoists have not left any letter near the bodies, villagers said.
According to reports, over 300 villagers of Sudhakonda had surrendered before BSF jawans about six months ago. The killing of the two villagers proves that the police have failed miserably in saving the lives of tribals, some villagers alleged.
Raghu Hantala (35) of Chheliamunda village under MV-79 police limits was abducted and subsequently killed March 30. Tribals of Sudhakonda are in a state of panic after the double murder.
Bishu is survived by his wife and an 11-month-old son, while Rama has left behind three children and his wife. The members of both the families were dumbfounded following the deaths of their breadwinners, a report said.
A high alert was sounded in Malkangiri district after the killing of 25 jawans in neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Despite frequent combing operations by the security personnel in Kalimela and Padia regions, the ultras managed to wreak havoc by killing two innocent tribals in close proximity of a police station. PNN
