Daringbadi: There seems to be no end to the worries of the residents of Simanbadi under Daringbadi police limits in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district.
A day after Maoist posters were spotted in the area, rumour of child-lifting racket operating in the area has added to their worries after many unknown persons have been spotted wandering around in the village. The racket is suspected of being involved in child-lifting.
The unknown persons, including women are seen wandering around in the forests and isolated places near the villages. Residents (mostly farmers and working class people) see them moving around mysteriously while on their way to work every day.
Many assume them to be Maoists due to the presence of women in the group. However, many instances have proved them of being involved in child-lifting. The group mostly target people in lonely roads. They chase bikers travelling alone and attack them. They also target small kids playing in village corners.
Locals suspected the group members to be mostly outsiders and non-Oriyas. It was suspected that the racket was involved in eye and kidney theft. After killing people, they gouged out eyes and kidneys. While speculations are rife that a huge racket is involved in the case, nothing is ascertained as of now.
Fearing threat to their lives, locals mostly remain indoors. On the other hand, they do not allow non-Oriya businessmen to enter the villages. In a bid to avoid falling prey to the racket, locals have decided to go to work in groups. Some local youths have also been trying their hand to keep an eye on the racket.
Adding to the rumours, unknown miscreants have pelted stones at houses in Simanbadi village late Thursday night. The stone pelting has created holes in the asbestos used as roof in rural houses. Victims Kesab Nayak, Kumar Baliarsingh, Lima Sobha Sundar and Dhaneswar Badatia lodged a complaint with Daringbadi police Friday. Police registered a case and ASI R Bhimorao Reddy launched a probe.
The incident has spread fear among the residents who demanded to intensify police patrolling. Meanwhile, the police have not yet recovered the Maoist posters seen in the area even after two days suspecting it was a trick by the Maoists to ambush police. PNN
