In a challenge to the State police administration, Maoists torched two Forest Beat Houses in Nayagarh district late on Thursday night.
According to sources, the ultras set the Dhipasahi and Geregedi Beat Houses on fire after taking away the Forester and Watchman forcibly to another place. This apart, the ultras set ablaze a Bolero car, a metal detector, a VHF set, TV, batteries, solar light and some important documents. They also ransacked some anti-poaching sheds. Maoist banners and leaflets were found at the spot. The banners and leaflets have demanded revocation of the restrictions imposed by the department on the local forest dwellers.
It may be recalled that in 2008, at least 13 police personnel, including two women, and a civilian were killed in an attack in Nayagarh after a group of nearly 100 Maoists, including women cadres, targeted the local Police Training School, the armoury and a police station in the district.