Malkangiri: Residents of Kamnaguda village in Odisha's Malkangiri district today sought protection from the state government, claiming that they felt harassed by left-wing ultras and police questioning.
The members of about 40 tribal families met Malkangiri district superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra and apprised him about their miseries.
The villagers, including women and infants, reached the district police headquarters and sought the SP's intervention.
"What can we do? Maoists come during the night time and demand food from villagers. They suspect us to be police informers. On the other hand, the security people come during the day time and ask us about maoists," village head Laka Padiami said.
Padiami said they finally left the village and came down to the district headquarters town seeking protection.
"I have assured the villagers of ensuring their security," the SP told reporters.
The district police also distributed blankets, dresses and saree for women among the villagers who have abandoned their village due to maoist fear.
Padiami claimed the maoists had on October 15 gunned down two of their villagers suspecting them as police informer.
"How can we live in the village?" he asked.