Seven persons, mostly tribals, were abducted by armed Maoists from two villages in the Kalimela area of Malkangiri district early on Thursday.
A village panchayat ward member, Tulasi Behera, was abducted from Chintanwada village and the six others from Ramaguda village after the Maoists called them out of their homes, police sources said.
The six others were Budra Sodi, Budra Padiami, Deba Padiami, Suba Khara, Rama Behera and Jaga Madkami.
Earlier, the Maoists had kidnapped three persons, including Padia Madi, son of Gamphakunda sarpanch, on December 4. One of them escaped next day while the other two were released on December 7.