Semiliguda: In a fresh spell of terror, Maoists shot a villager dead right in front of his family after tying him to a tree here in Koraput district Saturday.
Jayram Khosla, a Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) supervisor, paid with his life for pushing ahead with a project that earned the wrath of the Maoists. Khosla hailed from Bhitagada village under Sorishapadar panchayat of Semiliguda block.
According to reports, the rebels – belonging to the Srikakulam-Koraput Mao Divisional Committee — were opposing a PMGSY road project connecting Kunduli and Deomali foothills via Bhitaragada. A local contractor however took on the project, with Khosla assigned to it as supervisor.
The project quickly drew the attention of the ultras, who arrived in hundreds at Khosla’s village, armed with weapons, Friday evening. They first took Khosla along with his family into a nearby forest and tied him to a tree. Then, ignoring his family’s requests to let him go, the Maoists pumped several bullets into him, killing him on the spot.
They then left a note on Khosla’s body, stating that he was ‘convicted’ in a ‘praja court’ for being a police informer, and left the place. Khosla was the sole breadwinner of his family.
In the note, the Maoists said they are opposed to road projects as these help corporate companies loot mineral resources on Deomali hill. They warned that their next target was the project contractor.
The ultras later proceeded towards the camp office of the construction project and torched several vehicles including two tractors, two excavators and a tipper which were being utilised in the construction work.
Meanwhile, Khosla’s family lodged a complaint with Pottangi police over the murder, which has once again established the presence of hardcore Maoists in the region. PNN
