Police have stepped up search operations in Odisha after Maoists killed a man in broad daylight
A tribal man was shot dead by Maoists in Odisha's Malkangiri district on Sunday, after they allegedly suspected him of being a police informer.
Sama Pangi, a resident of Jantri, was gunned down in broad daylight when a group of Maoists opened fire at him near Chitrakonda ghat, senior police officer Jagmohan Meena told the Press Trust of India. The attackers fled into a nearby forest after shooting Pangi. He died on the spot.
According to the police, Pangi was on a Naxal hit list. They had accused him of being an informer for the Police. Pangi was the target of a Maoist attack two years ago as well, following which he relocated from his native village to his current location.
Sama Pangi's body has been sent for post-mortem examinations.
Mr Meena said that police had stepped up combing and search operations in the area after Pangi's death.
He added that a chopper delivered rations to the BSF camp in Kunturpadar since Maoists had raided at least two vessel-loads of grocery items that were being delivered to the camp on October 16. The country made boats carrying the supplies was allegedly attacked by rebels, who also thrashed policemen carrying the supplies.
The chopper that delivered the supplies is to be stationed in the district for a few days, and may be utilized for anti-Maoist operations as well, Mr Meena added.
Another man was also allegedly killed by Maoists in the Kandhamal district in Odisha on Saturday.
According to a Government statement, at least 94 civilians had been killed in the first six months of 2017 by Maoists on suspicion of being police informers.
With inputs from PTI