Malkangiri: Maoists killed a tribal youth suspecting him to be a police informer at Puruna Tekpadar village in Ralegada panchayat under Chitrakonda block in this district late Saturday night.
The victim was identified as Sitaram Khemdu. Police denied the Maoist claim that the youth was a police informer. The ultras killed him only to reassert their presence in the area, the police said.
The killing triggered panic in the area as the villagers were found tight-lipped and refused to speak on the issue.
The Maoists are trying to regain control in the cut-off area of Chitrakonda block and had even established an office in the area before the commencement of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) week, the police said. They have become so ruthless that they are eliminating everyone anyone opposes them, the police added.
According to reports, 15-20 Maoists knocked at Khemdu’s door late Saturday night and took him along with them. His family members grew apprehensive after he did not return home but did not venture out in search of him fearing threat to their lives.
Khemdu’s murder came to light when villagers noticed his mutilated body with throat slit on the outskirts of the village Sunday morning. They informed his family members. A handwritten leaflet was recovered from the spot. Police recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem.
An investigation into the murder is on, said inspector in-charge of Chitrakonda police station, AK Swain. PNN
