PNS n PHUlBANI
In protest against the Kandhamal firing on July 8 night, Maoists have called for a 24-hour bandh in Kandhamal and Rayagada districts on Monday. The members of the outlawed group belonging to the Basadhara-Ghumusar-Nagabali Division have put up posters to this effect at Tumudibandha-Rampur square under the Tumudibandha police limits in Kandhamal district and at many places in Rayagada district.
The posters signed by division secretary Umakanta condemned the police firing at Kurtamgarh which claimed lives of five villagers from Gumudumaha.
“We condemn the killing of innocent dalits and tribals of Gumudumaha and police’s barbaric act. In protest against this, a bandh will be observed in Kandhamal and Rayagada districts. The jawans involved in the killing should be arrested and murder charges should be registered against them,” the posters said. Besides, the Red rebels demanded compensation of Rs25 lakh each to the family members of the deceased and Rs10 lakh each to the injured.
The Maoists further said that the BJP, the BJD and the Congress are trying to take political mileage out of this sensational issue. Their intentions are same. The political parties should abstain from doing politics over this.