Maoists abduct 5 Election Officials, 1 Villager from Malkangiri cut-off Area

Ahead of Panchayat Polls, Maoists abducted five election officials including a villager from the cut-off area in Malkangiri district today morning.

The abducted officials were identified as Hrushikesh Naik, Purusottam Behera, Praveen Soren, Lingaraj Majhi and Kaminikant Singh. Manoranjan Sisa, son of Jodamba village head Laxman Sisa is also among the six abducted persons.

Reportedly, earlier the ultras warned the tribals of Malkangiri district to restrain from Panchayat Polls. They also threatened not to apply for candidature and cast vote in the ensuing Panchayat Elections.