Malkangiri: In what could be an attempt to make their presence felt in Odisha, armed Maoists axed a contractor to death at Golia area under the Mathili police limits in Malkangiri district on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Sukumar Mandal.
As per reports, around 15 to 20 Maoists first thrashed Mandal before slicing him with an axe. The Red rebels also set fire to three vehicles including a tractor and a SUV belonging to Mandal.
The place where the incident occurred is close to the Chhattisgarh border. Sources said that Mandal, a licensed contractor had taken the contract for building a road. The ultras were opposed to it as it would make easier the movement of vehicles of security personnel in carrying out anti-Naxal operations and contribute towards the all-around development of the area.
The killing of the contractor comes close on the heels of comes the gunning down of two ultras, including a woman cadre, by security forces in an encounter on Sunday.
According to reports, Sunday’s fire fight took place during a joint operation by the SOG and DVF jawans in the area. A huge cache of explosives and Maoist articles had been seized by the security personnel from the spot.
On December 14, Director General (DG) of Police Abhay had visited Malkangiri’s Swabhiman Anchal (cut off area) to review the progress of anti-naxal operations in the region.
While talking to reporters, the DGP said that the security forces have been thwarting attacks by the Maoists group, leading to desperation in the rebel cadres.
“The moral of security personnel is high and we are determined to free Swabhiman Anchal from Maoist hold,” Abhay said.