KORAPUT: The Left Wing Extremists on Thursday night torched four road construction vehicles at Balla junction near Majhi Gumandi and Upara Gumandi villages under Narayanpatna police limits.
About 40 Hindi speaking rebels of Srikakulam-Koraput Divisional Committee of CPI (Maoist) wing set fire to two JCB machines and two tractors of SPR Construction Company of Paralakhemundi. The company has been engaged in road construction work in Tala Gumandi panchayat in Narayanpatna block.
The Maoists left behind banners and asked the youths not to join police force. They also alleged that the roads were being laid to launch activities by the State Government which were against the welfare of the tribals of the region. They claimed that Tala Gumandi Sarpanch Bishnu Tading is involved in pro-government activities. The posters asked villagers not to cooperate with the contractor in the road work.
The road under construction will provide motorable connectivity to Narayanpatna block headquarters and benefit people of 15 villages. Now, after the attack, the works might come to a halt.
The incident comes barely 14 days after the Maoists brutally killed a villager Pidika Ratunu at Peda Itiki village in Borigi panchayat under Narayanpatna police limits.
On April 22, about 30 Maoists had brutally murdered Pidika branding him as a police informer.
The Maoists have been appearing frequently in Koraput villages to instil fear among the locals and making their presence felt by stopping development works.