MALKANGIRI: Maoists hijacked a motor launch and took its driver hostage in the cut-off region of Malkangiri district on Sunday evening when the vessel was on its way to Kunturpadar carrying grocery items for the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) forces.
While the launch was about 4 kms from its destination, a group of 30 to 40 armed rebels led by CPI (Maoist) Koraput Dalam chief Sudhir and other leaders like Anil and Sarita hijacked it near Kathagada village and took it to Orapadar.
Kunturpadar is located under Jodamba gram panchayat of Chitrakonda block where the IRB unit is deployed. The launch was moving close to the banks of the reservoir when the Maoists, perched on hilltops, directed the driver to navigate the vessel to the shore at Kathagada. Soon they took control of the launch.
The rebels took the driver Ghasi Pangi hostage for some hours and later assaulted him for allegedly carrying the grocery items for para military personnel before setting him free. A native of Kathagada village, the launch driver was also warned by the rebels not to help the security forces in future.
The hijacked launch is still in Maoist possession somewhere near Orapadar village in the cut-off region on the other side of vast Chitrakonda reservoir, sources said. Since Oradapada is an islanded village, the police are unable to send any reinforcement apprehending ambush attacks from the Left rebels.
Details will be known only after arrival of the launch driver Pangi at Chitrakonda, police sources said.