MALKANGIRI: Maoists killed a tribal man suspecting him to be a police informer at Chintamchilika area here as the rebels began a 'protest week' today demanding halt to anti-Naxal operations by security forces.
A group of ultras had abducted Raman Tamarabi (40) from Chintamchilika on Tuesday and his body was found in a nearby forest yesterday, police officials said. While the victim's throat was slit, his body also had gunshot marks, they said, adding, that the ultras apparently suspected that Tamarabi was operating as an informer of the police.
The killing took place ahead of a 'Pratibada Saptaha' (protest week) called by the banned CPI (Maoist) demanding a halt to anti-Naxal operations by security forces. Vehicular movement was disrupted in Naxal-affected areas like Kalimela, Motu, Padia, MV-79 and Chitrakonda in the district as buses and other vehicles stopped plying fearing trouble, police officials said.
As a precautionary measure, security personnel were deployed in vulnerable areas and borders with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have been sealed. Combing operation and patrolling were also intensified by security forces, police officials said.