After a few days’ lull, Maoists went on a rampage in Rayagada district and thrashed workers and set ablaze several vehicles engaged in a road construction work near Gumma village under Kalyansinghpur block late on Tuesday night. Posters, bearing the name of the Maoists of Rayagada Area Committee, opposing the road construction project were also found on the spot. Sources said the Rural Development Department has taken up a road project worth Rs 10 crore from Naringtoli to Gumma to fulfill the much-needed road communication for the welfare of local Dongria Kondh community. However, over 6o ultras reached the construction site at around 12 pm and attacked two workers after snatching their mobile phones. The rebels also asked the workers to leave the place immediately. Later, they set afire two JCBs, a roller and a mixture machine engaged in the construction work. The Maoists left behind some posters alleging that the road is being constructed to facilitate entry of Vedanta Mining Company into the Niyamagiri hills and forcibly suppress the movement of tribals against bauxite mining. Those people would be punished in the ‘Jan Adalats’ if they supported handing over Niyamagiri to the Vedanta Company, the posters stated.
Notably, the Red rebels had earlier indulged in violent activities twice at that spot opposing the road construction.
