Maoists urge people to boycott elections in Odisha

Nabarangpur: Maoists have put up banners and posters near Jodinga under Raighar block of Odisha’s Nabarangpur district urging people to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

The red rebels have also mentioned in the banners and posters about their opposition towards the policies of the Central and State governments regarding water, forests and land.

Police have seized the materials and started investigation into the incident. Combing operation in the area is underway, said Umerkote SDPO Hemant Kumar Padhi.

Earlier this month, similar posters and banners had surfaced in Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts, in which the ultras had criticised the politicians and asked people to attack them when they seek votes during election campaigns.

The extremists had also threatened to murder police informers in coming days. Amid tremendous pressure on district administrations for conducting elections smoothly, such activities by the Maoists have emerged as fresh headache for the State Election Commission.