After Friday's conflicting versions on kidnap of five election officials in Malkangiri district, the abducted officials on Saturday revealed that they were in the captivity of the ultras and produced before a Praja Court (people's court).
Of the five poll officials, two of them, Gram Panchayat Technical Assistants Praveen Soren and Kaminikanta Singh, narrated their ordeal to the media after their release by the Maoists.
"We were abducted while we were on duty at our respective panchayats. We were taken to a place near the Gora Setu and produced before a Praja Court, where 20 to 22 Maoists were present. The ultras threatened us not to participate in the panchayat polls and then asked us to go back," Kaminikanta Singh said.
Praveen Soren said, "The Maoists told me that whether it is police encounter or other issues, the district administration has not reached out to people. The villagers have been deprived of the welfare schemes. They will not allow polls to be held in the region till Government benefits reach them."
It may be recalled that while it was reported on Friday that the officials were kidnapped by the Red rebels, Malkangiri SDPO Rahul PR had rejected the reports, terming it as baseless.
However on Saturday, South-Western Range DIG S Saini confirmed the abduction reports after the aforesaid two officials contacted her.
"I have received information from the two election officer that they were kidnapped. Apart from these two, three more gram panchayat officials were also victims. As per their information, they were taken to a place near the Gora Setu and were then freed at around 4.30 pm. Other officers were on their way," Saini said.
According to reports, K Bala from Panasput panchayat, SP Rajguru from Jantri panchayat, V Enkeiya from Gajalmamudi panchayat, Kaminikanta Singh from Jodaamba panchayat and Praveen Soren from Andrapalli panchayat were on poll duty in Chitrakonda block in the cutoff region of the district from where they were abducted.
It may be mentioned that Maoists had on January 10 warned the tribals of the district to abstain from the polls.
Maoist posters were found in Kudumulugumma in which the Malkangiri District Divisional Committee of the outlawed CPI(Ml) had asked the tribals not to take part in the polls. The Maoists also 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 their votes would be chopped off.