Maoists torched a heavy machine used for construction work and damaged other equipment in Malkangiri district on Saturday night. The vehicle was engaged in a site at MPV-22 near Kangrukonda where bridge construction works are being undertaken by Rural Development Department.
Over 50 slogan-shouting armed Maoists raided the site and drove away the workers present there while looking for a contractor.
As panic-stricken labourers ran, the ultras set afire a heavy equipment and threw other materials, including cement and iron rods. However, no one was harmed, police said.
The attack came a day after the Maoists had killed a village head Pandu Madkami by slitting his throat at Parsanpalli under Padia police limits on Friday night.
The incident was viewed by security forces as an attempt at oneupmanship by the newly formed Andhra-Chhattishgarh Border (ACB) division of Maoists. Earlier, it was known as Andhra-Orissa-Border (AOB) division with Sabyasachi Panda holding sway.
However, with reported diminishing influence of Sabyasachi Panda, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh cadres have since become powerful and bent on isolating Odisha rebels, sources said.