Maoists killed a local leader in Malkangiri district on Monday suspecting him to be a police informer. Kosa Madhi (38) of Sangel village under Kalimela police station, who was secretary of local Panipanchyat, had been abducted by the ultras on Friday last when they triggered a blast with explosives and destroyed the bridge over river Poteru to stop movement of security personnel between Kalimela and Padia.
Madhi was produced before the 'Kangaroo Court' held by the Maoists and then killed by them, villagers said. His body was spotted by the villagers. On Friday, the Maoists had looted the house of a Special Police officer (SPO), lacha Madkami, one of Madhi's relatives, of the same village.
Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar said inquiry into Madhi’s murder was on. The police had unconfirmed information on Sunday that Madhi was released by the ultras, but it turned out to be wrong, he said. The SP said the Maoists have become vengeful and are trying to create terror among the people in the face of heightened action against them by security forces through raids and combing operations in the district. Besides, they are worried due to the increasing surrender of their cadres to the police, he said.
Meanwhile, ADG (Intelligence) Sunil Roy, IG (Operation) Soumendra Priyadarshi and IG, South-Western Range Jaswant Jethwa on Monday visited the blast site in the Padia area of Malkangiri district where Maoists had blown up portions of a bridge two days ago. The top cops also held discussions with the BSF DIG regarding the incident.
In the meantime, the four-day bandh call given by the Maoists in Malkangiri and adjoining Koraput district demanding a halt to the operations against them and alleged atrocities against tribals entered the third day on Monday affecting normal life in Maoist hinterlands including the Padia, Kalimela and Motu areas. However, there was hardly any effect in Koraput district.