Maoists set Essar vehicle afire

MALKANGIRI:  Armed Maoists set afire a vehicle of Essar company near Pallankray village in Ralegada panchayat under Chitrakonda police limits on Wednesday.The incident reportedly took place at about 3 pm, when a seven-member group of Essar officials from Chhattisgarh visited the area in a four-wheeler to inquire into the underground pipeline in the area that was damaged by ultras a few days back. A group of over 50 armed Maoists, who had prior information about the officials’ visit, were waiting at the approach road  to Pallankray village. Sources said the ultras intercepted the vehicle and asked all the seven officials and the driver to alight and then set it afire. The officials were, however, left unhurt. Eyewitnesses claimed the ultras were in military uniforms and were speaking in Hindi and Odia. The incident occurred just a few hours after BSF Director-General U K Bansal, IG S A Khadar, Koraput-based DIG S K Barua left Balimela.  The DG had visited Balimela-based 107th Battalion of BSF in the noon and held an in-camera meeting with the officials over strategies to counter growing Maoist menace in the region.