An assistant sub-inspector of police in Odisha's Nuapada district bordering Chhattisgarh was kidnapped by Maoists on Tuesday and subsequently killed.
Kruparam Majhi (42) was posted at the Dharambandha Police Outpost. The incident took place when Majhi, along with a constable Debanarayan Sahu, was escorting a water tank loaded on a tractor to the nearby Central Reserve Police Force camp. About 10 to 12 armed Maoists waylaid the two policemen riding a motorcycle at around 11 am. The naxalites asked them why they were supplying water and other provisions to CRPF personnel.
While the constable managed to escape, the ASI's body was found hours later about three kilometres from the CRPF camp. The Maoists set ablaze the tractor.
“Three bullets were pumped into the ASI,” Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told reporters. “The heinous crime will not dampen the spirit of the security forces carrying out operation against naxalites,” he asserted.
Sources in the intelligence wing said that the Mainpur division of Chhattisgarh carried out the killing.
Dharambandha area is one of the most Maoist-affected regions in Nuapada district. Because of its proximity to the Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary and a porous border with Chhattisgarh, it has been safe haven for Maoists.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik termed the killing an inhuman and a barbaric act. He announced that an ex gratia of Rs. 8 lakh would be paid to the next kin of the ASI. A special family pension equal to the last salary drawn would be given to his family, he said.
