Malkangiri: In a serious challenge to security forces, a group of 10-15 Maoists gunned down a man at Chitrakonda ghat in Malkangiri district in full public view Sunday morning.
The deceased was identified as Sama Pangi (45) of Jantri village, a cut-off region in the district. Reports said he had fled his village a couple of years ago and had settled in Chitrakonda after being threatened by the Reds.
SP Jagmohan Meena called a press meet and denied reports of Pangi being a police informer. He stated that patrolling was intensified following the attack.
The daring act took place at Chitrakonda’s launch ghat while Pangi was sitting at a shop. The armed Maoists arrived at the ghat in a launch. They shot at Pangi right in front of the locals before speeding away in the launch.
On learning the incident, Chitrakonda police reached the spot and launched a probe. Sources said the operation was led by Koraput dalam chief of CPI (Maoist).
According to reports, the Reds created terror in the cut-off Jantri village and threatened the tribals to join their group since 2015. They mostly targeted youths of the village and warned their families with dire consequences.
They claimed Pangi was a police informer and warned him to join their group. They also had targeted his son Bhimsen Pangi who worked as a migrant worker in Andhra Pradesh.
Fearing for life, at least six families including Pangi fled the village and took shelter in Chitrakonda. Since then, Pangi operated a launch in Chitrakonda ghat for a living. He was assisted by his second wife while his first wife stayed back in the village and took care of their ancestral land and property.
However, following continuous threats, she also fled the village September 2 and approached SP Meena for help. After talks with the district collector, the SP had provided Pinga with a ration card, Aadhaar card and other benefits. Steps were being taken to rehabilitate the six families, he said.
This is the second killing by the CPI (Maoists) in as many days. On Saturday, they had killed a ‘Gaon Sathi’ in Kandhamal district. PNN
