A suspected Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre was killed in an exchange of fire with Security Forces (SFs) in Nunkhari forest under Mathili Police Station limits in Malkangiri District of Odisha on January 31, reports Outlook. The exchange of fire took place when personnel of the Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) of the Odisha Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) were carrying out a joint anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremist, LWE] operation in the said forest. The Maoists opened fire at the SF personnel and in ensued gun-battle the Maoist was killed. A country-made gun, a pistol and huge quantities of ammunition, explosives and other articles were recovered from the area. The slain Maoist’s identity is yet to be ascertained.
Maoist abducted three villagers, identified as - Rauta Majhi, Gobinda Majhi and Debendra Majhi, on suspicion of being ‘Police informers’ from Gumu village under Belghar Police Station limits in Kandhamal District of Odisha on January 29, reports Hindustan Times. The Maoists brutally assaulted Gobinda Majhi, however, they released him along with Rauta Majhi on the following day, while the whereabouts of Debendra Majhi remain untraced.