Sec 144 Clamped In Malkangiri After Tension Over Alleged Murder Of Tribal

Malkangiri: Palpable tension continued to prevail in Papermetla area of Malkangiri district today after hundreds of tribals gathered in the region with traditional weapons and took out a rally demanding immediate arrest of the persons involved in the murder of Raju Hantal, a resident of Ranganiguda village under Dhuliput panchayat of the district.

Apprehending violence, the district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC in the region. Adequate police forces have also been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation, said reports.

The administration has also shut down Jantapai weekly haat, from where Raju was allegedly taken away by two men while he had gone to buy groceries with his two daughters on September 13. Reportedly, he was found dead with multiple injuries on his body inside the kitchen of an Anganwadi centre near Jantapai village two days later.

Following the incident, Raju's family members refused to accept the body while blaming jawans behind his death. To show their protest, local villagers staged a demonstration by placing his dead body in front of Papermetla Police station and later pelted stones at the police station and attacked the cops present at the spot.

Meanwhile, with several people from bordering Andhra Pradesh also found present during the congregation of the tribals in the area today, it is being suspected that Maoists are instigating the locals to organise a mass protest.