Ex-sarpanch shot at in Sundargarh; 2 ultras give up

Post News Network/Agencies

Rourkela, Dec 6: A group of 10 Maoists raided the house of a former sarpanch, dragged him out and allegedly pumped three bullets into him in Sundargarh district, a senior police officer said Saturday.
The incident occurred Friday night at Mohanpada, additional superintendent of police Santosh Mohanty said.
Former sarpanch Nabakrishana alias Rabi Pradhan (60) sustained injuries in his left chest and legs and was rushed to Ispat General Hospital where his condition was stated to be serious, the officer said.
A joint team of CRPF and state police rushed to the area and intensified patrolling soon after the incident.
The Maoists fled the scene, Mohanty said, adding two female cadres identified as Asha alias Parbati Majhi, 23 and Sita alias Binati Majhi, 22, both belonging to Telkoi police station of Keonjhar district, stayed back and surrendered to the police. Police arrested them and will produce them in a court Sunday, he said, adding the two women carried an award of `1 lakh each.
‘‘They were active armed cadres of CPI (Maoist) and belonged to Kalinganagar division of Maoists. They were active on the borders of Rourkela-Keonjhar-Angul-Deogarh. The reasons of their surrender are disillusionment and sexual
harassment of the female cadres,’’ Mohanty said.
Both had joined the organisation in December, 2009 and were working under Sushil alias Basant, Secretary of Kalinganagar division.
‘‘They have confessed to their crimes in Kalinganagar division since 2009. They have also confessed that innocent tribals were being brutally butchered on the allegation that they were police informers,’’ said Mohanty.
The duo was also part of many praja courts and collected money from traders and contractors in and around Kalinganagar area and found the use of small children in violent Maoist activities disturbing, he said.
The incident took place when the Maoists were celebrating the Martyrs’ Week.