Normal life was paralysed in five blocks of Rayagada and Kalahandi districts on Tuesday as Maoists called for a 24-hour bandh protesting against an alleged fake encounter in which tribal youth was killed in Rayagada.
While vehicular traffic came to a standstill, most shops remained closed in Rayagada, Kalyansingpur, Bishamcuttack, Muniguda and lanjigarh blocks. Security forces tightened patrolling to avoid any untoward incident.
CPI(Maoist) Niyamgiri Area Committee secretary Sukhdev had announced the bandh after the security forces killed Monda Kadrika at Dangamatia on February 27.
“February 27 was the last day of the Adivasi Ghati festival in the Niyamgiri jungles. Police killed Monda to create fear and panic among the tribals,” he alleged.
Monda’s brother has also filed a murder complaint against the security forces at the Kalyansinghpur police station of Rayagarh on March 5.
On the other hand, the security forces have claimed that Monda (20) was a suspected Maoist and was killed in the encounter led by Rayagada SP K Siva Subramani in the Dangamatia forests.
Meanwhile, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Acting Chairman Justice BK Mishra has directed the Southern RDC and the South-West Range DIG to inquire and report separately on the allegations within four weeks. The matter is likely to be heard on April 26.