Post News Network
Malkangiri, Sept 12: Even after three years of the incident where DVF and SOG jawans had gunned down 13 ultras in an anti-Maoists operation near Silakota village under Padia block of the district, the villagers are still a panicky lot.
They are yet to forget the sound of gunshots, locals said, adding, the Maoists have already killed three villagers holding them responsible for the police encounter.
According to reports, jawans, on intelligence input, raided a camp at the village and killed 13 guerrillas September 13, 2013. Since then, the residents of the village have been living under the threat of Maoist backlash.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the villagers are yet to get the benefits of various welfare programmes of the government. Condition is so pathetic that even a four-wheeler cannot enter the village in absence of a road. While most of the houses in the village are not connected with electricity, many don’t have BPL cards to avail subsidised provisions.
Though there are significant numbers of elderly persons, widow and physically challenged in the village, they are yet to be issued the documents to get the government allowances. In the absence of proper irrigation facilities, people generally leave their lands barren for most part of the year.
The village is yet to see any major development as government officials, fearing the Maoists, hardly visit the locality.
The residents earlier used to support the ultras because they promised all round development. Sensing the hollowness of the promise, 120 Maoist supporters surrendered before the district police August 31. However, they are still scared and afraid of visiting the forest to collect firewood, sources said.
Collector D Prashant Reddy assured the surrendered Mao supporters to make Silakota, an ideal village within a year by according it with all government facilities, locals said and expect the administration would live up to its promise.