Mohana: A primary school teacher was arrested in Gajapati district recently for his alleged connections with Maoist activities, police said Wednesday. The suspect, Pratap Kumar Nayak, has been working as an ex-cadre assistant teacher at Nua Khajuripada Government Primary School under Adava police station since 2008. According to Adava police station officer Shubhrant Panda, Nayak was previously involved with a Maoist organisation and allegedly participated in violent incidents across various locations.
A case (135/11) was registered against him in 2011 at the police station, leading to his recent arrest. Gajapati SP Jatindra Kumar Panda said several other teachers in Adava, Mohana and R Udayagiri police station areas face similar allegations of Maoist links and involvement in illegal ganja trafficking.
Authorities have urged these individuals to surrender at local police stations. Police have also sent letters to the block education officer (BEO) regarding the matter. “If they fail to surrender, they will be arrested wherever they are,” Panda said. Mohana BEO Narendra Behera said he has not received any such letter from the police. “If any letter arrives naming a teacher, appropriate action will be taken as per government regulations,” Behera added.
