Odisha: Youth flees village after Naxal ‘threat’

Malkangiri (Odisha): The allegation of Maoists forcing locals to join their banned organisation to wage war against security personnel continues to pour in from interior pockets of Odisha’s Malkangiri district.

In the latest such case, a youth from Luchapani village under Chitrakonda block fled home after the rebels threaten him to join their organisation or face punishment in the Kangaroo court.

According to reports, the Red rebels called the youth, Pilku Khara, to their camp in the jungle eight days ago and asked him to join their group and assist them.

After Pilku refused to cooperate with them, he was asked to vacate the village. They even threatened to kill him as a mark of punishment.

Left with no other opt-ion, Pilku was forced to flee the village. Sources said he has now moved to Chitrakonda leaving behind his mother, wife and son in the village. Apprehending further problems, Pilku has planned to bring his family to Chitrakonda to stay with him.

“Eight days ago I was called by the Maoists. They asked me to help them. After I refused, they threatened to kill me. So I left the village,” said Pilku.

Speaking to this newspaper on Sunday, Malkangir district SP Jagmohan Meena said the police was verifying the claim of the Pilku about the Maoist threat to him.

“If it is proved that he is really under threat, the police will protect him,” said Mr Meena.