Cuttack youth among slained Maoists: 'Family conducted his last rites 12 years ago'

The villagers of Kulashree village under Niali block in Cuttack district were shocked after getting the news of Bauribandhu Sethy, who was confirmed dead in a Maoist encounter, 20 years after he went missing. Moreover, the family members also claimed to have severed all contact with Bauribandhu for the last 20 years since he went missing. They also claimed to have no clue about Bauribandhu joining the Red Ultras.

Bauribandhu regarded as an aspiring student poised for a bright future, had left the village after completing his Plus 3 study. However, his sudden disappearance had left his family and neighbours bewildered.

In a turn of fate that adds to their grief, the family conducted Bauribandhu’s last rites over 12 years ago, under the assumption that he had died.

However, the tragic news of Bauribandhu’s death arrived when police officials contacted his family, confirming his death in an encounter with security forces combating Maoist insurgency. 

This revelation has sparked discussions within the local community, who are grappling with the implications of Bauribandhu’s alleged involvement with Maoist factions.

Following the development, the shocked villagers expressed empathy for the family members, who now have to contend with the dual blow of losing a family member and reconciling his past affiliations.

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“He (Bauribandhu) had gone missing for the last 20 years. He was a student of SVM College in Jagatsinghpur. He was a good student and also a good cricket player. As he went missing 20 years ago, and we thought that he was dead. However, we came to know today that he has been killed in the Maoist encounter. We are shocked to know that how could he join the Maoist organisation,” said social worker Ranjan Lenka.

“He (Baurinandhu) has no relationship with his family and the village since he left home 20 years ago. We were shocked to know about his demise in the Maoist encounter,” said a villager.

Baurinandhu’s family members clarified they didn’t have any kind of relationship with him in the last 20 years.

“Bauribandhu left the village 20 years ago. We have had no relationship with him since. He left home while he was in college. We had no knowledge that he joined the Maoist organisation,” said Bauribandhu’s brother.