50 Maoists torch construction vehicles in Odisha to reassert their presence

By C.B.Singh

Bhawanipatna, May 27 : Suspected Maoists on Wednesday night torched at least three vehicles engaged in road construction work at Tala Pipili village in Odisha’s Kalahandi district apparently to reassert their presence in the area.

 The torched vehicles included a tractor, an earthmover, and a tipper.

A contractor of Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters town of Kalahandi, had engaged the vehicles in the construction work. However, the Red rebels torched the vehicles alleging low quality work.  The local Sadar police reached the spot and started a probe into the incident.

As per reports, around 50 Maoists reached the village late on Wednesday night and asked the workers present their to leave the place. Eventually they torched the vehicles and fled away. They also left a banner before fleeing the spot.

In the poster, the rebels said they set the construction equipment on fire for low quality work.

Security forces reached the place on Thursday morning and intensified combing operations in the area.

As per local people, the Red radicals torched the vehicles in an act of revenge as a Maoist was arrested a couple of days ago.