Malkangiri:
Maoists have killed a tribal farmer suspecting him to be a police informer in Malkangiri district, police said Wednesday. The incident took place at Barubeda village under Mathili police limits.
According to police, the victim was identified as Anantram Bhumia (30). The body of the farmer was spotted by locals near a jungle close to Barubeda village Wednesday morning.
According to sources, Bhumia was at his house with his wife and minor son Tuesday night. Meanwhile, two unidentified youths came to his house and called him on the pretext of going to watch a ‘jatra’ in a neighbouring village.
Unaware of their intention, his wife insisted he go and enjoy with his friends. Later, Bhumia along with his mother and the two youths went to the jatra area.
Meanwhile, a group of around 25-30 Maoists attacked Bhumia while he was watching the ‘jatra’. Fearing for their lives, the villagers stood there as mute spectators. Even his mother who was in the crowd was threatened as she tried to save her son and pleaded the rebels to free his son.
The Maoists first hacked Bhumia with an axe. Later, one of them stabbed him on his chest before fleeing. He was left profusely bleeding. Soon after, his mother with the help of some villagers tried to rush him to the Mathili community health centre (CHC) in an auto-rickshaw.
However, Bhumia breathed his last before they reached the CHC. He is now survived by his widowed wife, a three-year-old son and his elderly parents.
“It was all pre-planned. They came to call my husband. I thought they were his friends and let him go. But, they killed him,” said Bhumia’s wife as tears rolled down on her eyes.
“They killed my son in front of my eyes. I could not say a word and prayed them to spare him. But, they didn’t. My curse will fall on them,” Bhumia’s mother said.
Meanwhile, the police rushed to the spot and seized the body for post-mortem. A case has been registered and a probe is on, Mathili IIC John Khujur said.
“He had no links with the Maoists or the police. Bhumia was a simple farmer,” said Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena.
The killing could be the work of Maoists belonging to Darava Division of CPI (Maoist) in neighbourng Chhattishgarh. The police have sealed the border with Chhattishgarh and launched a massive combing operation in the area to nab the Maoists, Meena said.
PNN