Maoists torch vehicles engaged in road construction in Bhawanipatna

Bhawanipatna: Vehicles and machines of a private company engaged in construction of a road under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana were torched today allegedly by Maoists in Kalahandi district.

The Maoist attacks took place in two areas of Bhawanipatna in which eight tractors and one JCB excavator were set on fire, police said.

Earlier, the Moaists had allegedly ordered a contractor to stop the road construction, following which work on a 17-km stretch of the road was abandoned. It was re-tendered and a new contractor got the work and had recently restarted the work, they said.

Superintendent of Police, Kalahandi, Brijesh Rai confirmed the incident and said police teams have gone to the spot.

In October, 2013, a similar attack was carried out by Maoists at Minagpadar in the district.