Koraput/Bargarh: Hours before a two-day bandh in Nuapada, Malkangiri and Kalahandi districts called by them began on Friday, Maoists unleashed terror by killing a businessman in Koraput district and torching vehicles in Bargarh district.
According to reports, the businessman was shot dead by Maoists at Dandabadi in Baipariguda area in Koraput district late on Thursday night.
The deceased has been identified as Bapi Samanta. The members of the outlawed group called Samanta out of his house and opened fire at him causing his death on the spot.
On being informed about the incident, Baipariguda police rushed to the spot and started investigation into the matter.
In another instance, the red rebels torched a JCB machine and a tractor belonging to a private contract agency at Melechhamunda area in Bargarh on Thursday night.
Notably, Maoists have called for a two-day bandh in Nuapada, Malkangiri and Kalahandi districts from Friday opposing ‘Operation Greenhunt’, the proposed joint operation by security forces against the Red Rebels in the south-western part Odisha.
The outlawed group has also called to observe the bandh in neighboring Chhattishgarh.
The bandh has been called by the Menpur Nuapada Divisional Committee demanding return of jungle land to tribal people and an exploitation-free society.
The divisional committee chief complained that innocent tribal people are getting exploited in the name of ‘Operation Greenhunt’.