Maoists block road by cutting trees in Odisha’s Kandhamal

Phulbani: Maoists today blocked Kotagarh-Muniguda road near Radiguma in Odisha’s Kandhamal district by cutting down trees as a part of bandh observed by the rebels. Vehicular movement was temporarily disrupted due to the incident.

The extremists also put up posters at various places in Kotagarh and Tumudibandha areas of the district urging the people to extend support to the bandh call. In the posters, the Maoists have opposed construction of CRPF camp in the area and destroying of ganja cultivation.

The red rebels have also alleged that tribal people are being engaged as police informers through the lure of money and false promises.

The Maoists had earlier given an Odisha bandh call for today protesting the recent deaths of several Maoist cadres during exchange of fire with security forces. Releasing an audio clip in this regard, CPI-Maoist Odisha Committee spokesperson Sonali said the rebels will give befitting reply to the deaths of the cadres. Terming the deaths as killings by SOG and DVF jawans, she warned of destroying the police informers network.

The Maoist organisation has rejected Odisha DGP Abhay’s appeal to the rebels for surrendering before police, she said.