A village abandoned by its residents due to fear of Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) was set afire allegedly by the Maoist cadres in Raighar block in Nabarangpur District of Odisha on June 2, reports The New Indian Express. Of the total 42 houses in Lakhanpur village, 32 were reduced to ashes in the blaze. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of arson. Locals suspect the involvement of Maoists in the incident. Sources said the village was set up around 15 years back. Some locals cut down the forest to make way for the settlement. Since then, the villagers became the target of Maoists. Through posters and banners, the ultras were repeatedly warning the 250 residents to leave the village. When the inhabitants refused to vacate the village even after repeated warnings, the Maoists reportedly picked up a villager Narayan Nagesh from his house and killed him on March 17 this year. The Maoists said Nagesh was killed as a punishment for destroying the trees and setting up his house in the forest. They also warned the residents to vacate the forest land immediately.