Malkangiri: Maoists abducted five tribal men of Mahupadar and Kamarpali villages in the district and thrashed them severely at the nearest hills suspecting them of being police informers, police said on Tuesday.
Later, the rebels released all of them threatening them of dire consequences if they continue to work for police.
All the victims are currently undergoing treatments. "Deba Madkami, Rama Kabasi, Unga Kabasi, Rame Madhi and Chaitanya Madhi of Mahupada and Kamarpalli Gram Panchayat were abducted by the red rebels and taken to nearest Tulsi hills. The extremists beat them up severely leaving them injured critically. They are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Soon after the incident, coming operations have been intensified by the joint forces of Odisha and Chhattisgarh in the hills. We hope the area will be sanitised soon", Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Mitrabhanu Mahapatra said. In an extortion bid, the tribal youths were kidnapped, he added.
Around 30 to 40 Maoists barged into the houses of the victims on Sunday nights and dragged them out by tying their hands and legs.
"They dragged me out of my home when I was asleep with my family late on Sunday night. They thrashed my family members when they tried to resist the act. Later, they took me to the hills and beat severely branding me police informer even though I am innocent. I sustained critical injuries in my chest, waist and legs", said Rama Kabasi, who is undergoing treatment after being freed from the clutches of rebels.
The rebels also put a poster near the village threatening against the work for the police.