When the Rayagada administration was busy in the preparations for Republic Day celebrations, Maoists again made their presence felt in the district by unleashing a reign of terror at Parsali and Hatamuniguda under the district on Monday.
Several Maoist cadres barged into Daliakuji village in Hatamuniguda GP under Muniguda police station at around 3.30 am on Monday and torched a JCB and a tractor engaged for construction of a road under the Pradhan Mantri Grama Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Similarly, the Maoists put banners and posters at Parsali village, which is inhabited by Dangaria Kandhas. The village, which is also a prominent panchayat under the Niyamagiri Hill Range, was provided with electricity and bus services recently.
On Tuesday, Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak hoisted the National Flag at the GCD High School ground here. He praised the contributions of freedom fighters of erstwhile Koraput district and boasted of developmental schemes initiated by the State Government.
The gathering, which was very thin, enjoyed the sports and cultural activities exhibited by the tiny tots. Nayak distributed prizes to the winners of several events which were earlier for the Republic Day. He then went the Seba Samaj orphanage and the DHH to distribute fruits and sweets among the inmates.
“Slowly the Republic Day is losing its charm. The fruit of democracy is yet to be enjoyed by the common men of the area, especially tribals. Scores of Acts like MGNREGA, Forest Rights Act, National Food Security Act, Rights to Information Act and Prevention of Atrocities Act have been implemented. But the saga of dispossession of the tribals is still on in the name of development,: said Odisha Advasi Manch convenor Bidulata Huika.