Suspected Maoists kill tribal activist in Orissa

KORAPUT - A group of suspected Maoists fatally attacked a tribal activist at Bandhu Gaon in Koraput region of Orissa on Monday.

Kendurka Arjun, the tribal activist was the Secretary of the tribals forum named Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) for the Bandhugaon unit.

It is learnt that Kendurka Arjun had been receiving threats to his life from the Maoists. He was finally killed by a group of suspected armed Maoists who slit his throat and shot him down in close range.

Though no Maoist letter or poster has been recovered from the spot, Kendruka Arjun was slain in a fashion usually followed by the Maoists.

“My sister was also with him (Arjun). Armed Maoists stopped both of them and asked where were they going. They blocked their way and harassed them. Arjun pleaded with them for his life but the Maoists did not listen to them. The Maoists killed him,” said Harindra, Kendruka Arjun’s relative.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Kendruka Arjun had been on the hit list of the Maoists, evidence being several posters pasted against Arjun at several places in the region a few months ago.

The Maoists had accused him of selling Advivasi Sangh-owned land rather than distributing it to the landless tribal people.

Kendruka Arjun had also contested the elections to the State’s legislature in 2009 as an independent candidate from the Laxmipur constituency. By Sarada Lahangir (ANI)