Three of five slain Maoists identified in Odisha

Three of the five Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces three days ago in Bhaliagada jungle have been identified, police said today.

They have been identified as Ghasiram Bagsingh (32) of Mordhipanka village, Sumsum Majhi (58) of Bhingiiguda village and Aiba Padra (22) of Bujuli in Kandhamal district.

While Bagsingh was the former Samiti member in Saramuli gram panchayat, Majhi was the president of the local area committee, police said.

Padra was the nephew of Lokasona Majhi, a local BJD leader who contested the last Assembly election from G Udayagiri Assembly constituency.

Besides their relatives, several social activists from Kandhamal district and local youths came here to take the bodies.

Two bodies are yet to be identified.

At least five Maoists were killed in the encounter, while two jawans of the Special Operation Group (SOG) were injured at Bhaliaguda on Wednesday.

One of the injured jawans was already discharged, while the other was out of danger, police said.