Malkangiri: Even as electioneering is in full swing in the state ahead of the three-tier panchayat polls, Maoists have struck again, killing a ward member candidate in this tribal-dominated district.
The incident was witnessed a couple of days after the ultras triggered a powerful blast in Sunki ghat of neighbouring Koraput that claimed the lives of eight jawans. According to reports, the ward member candidate was shot dead by Maoists in Mathili area of the district in the wee hours of Friday.
The killing is seen as an attempt to strike terror among the villagers and discourage them to exercise their franchise in the coming polls.
The deceased was identified as Dasuru Dharua of Bara village under Kartanpalli gram panchayat. Two armed ultras struck at the house of Dharua Thursday midnight and took him away before shooting him dead, police said.
Dharua’s body, with bullet injuries, was found on the outskirts of the village Friday morning, they said.
It was stated that the ward member candidate had earlier been warned by Maoists against contesting the ensuing panchayat polls.
The Red rebels had earlier also threatened the tribals of this district to refrain from participating in the panchayat elections, and had put up posters at some places here, asking people not to contest or even vote in the polls.
According to some villagers, the ultras first entered the house of Dharua’s elder brother and later barged into his house. They dragged Dharua out of the house despite stiff resistance from the latter’s wife.
Dharua has been elected unopposed from ward-8 in the ensuring polls. But, official it has not been declared.
Amid allegations that the incident might be the handiwork of miscreants, Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said the police have taken this case seriously as the ward member has been shot dead.
He said the nearby areas are being combed while all security measures are being taken for peaceful conduct of the polls.
The incident has triggered panic in many parts of the district with the people remaining indoors, a report said. PNN