Maoists torch 6 vehicles in Kandhamal protesting road construction work

Phulbani: After a brief lull, the Maoists allegedly torched six vehicles of a company engaged in the construction of a bridge in Desughati of Jhiripani under Tumudibandh block of Kandhamal district on Monday night. The rebels have put posters protesting the road construction being executed by the construction company in the area, sources said.

According to the employees of the company, around 10 to12 Maoists arrived at the construction site on Monday night and threatened the employees before torching the vehicles. Following the incident, the locals are in a state of panic.

"They drove us out of our rooms and later torched the vehicles," an employee of the company said.

The Maoists alleged that the road construction work which is being undertaken in the area is of sub-standard quality and is also affecting the movement of wild animals in the region. They even demanded that the locals in the area should be given employment in the bridge construction work, sources said.

Meanwhile, senior police officials could not be contacted on the Maoist violence.