Maoists have renewed their call for boycotting of the coming panchayat polls in the State. The Red rebels have put up posters at various places under Narayanpatna block in Koraput district asking people not to participate in the polls.
The posters found at Balipata and Tentulipadar threatened people to abstain from the elections or else face punishment at Praja Court (people’s court).
The development came a day after five election officials were released from Maoist captivity after production before a Praja Court near in Chitrakonda block in the cutoff region of Malkangiri district. They were threatened not to participate in the panchayat polls.
Maoists had on January 10 put up posters in Malkangiri warning the tribals of the district to abstain from the polls. They warned that those who would contest in the elections would face death punishment at Praja Court.
The extremists further warned that thumbs of those casting votes would be chopped off.