Bhubaneswar: A shocking act of brutality by Maoists came to fore on Sunday after four villagers said they were punished in a ‘Praja Court’ conducted by the red rebels at Gagiaguda village under Mathili police limits in Malkangiri.

According to reports, the Maoists had abducted eight villagers some five days ago suspecting them as police informers. They released four of them while held four others in captivity, charging them as police informers.

In a Praja Court or People’s Court held in the jungle, the four villagers held in the captivity were declared “guilty” of not cooperating with the Maoists and acting as “police agents.” “They first hit my legs and thrashed me calling me as police informers. Then, they meted out similar punishment to the three others,” said a villager.