Maoists set tractors afire

MALKANGIRI: Undeterred by the heavy deployment of paramilitary forces in the region, Maoists on Wednesday night set two JCB excavators and two tractors on fire at Pandraguda, about 2 km from Khairput police limits. They are protesting the on-going road construction work by the Hyderabad-based IVRC Limited.According to Khairput police sources, about 25 armed rebels, including women cadres, doused the two tractors in kerosene and set them afire. The rebels then entered the temporary shelter meant for workers and inquired about the proprietor of the company from the watchman. Later, they also set fire to the two JCB excavators parked at the site.   The Maoists left behind some posters at the spot claiming responsibility for the act, accusing the company of not heeding its repeated warnings to stop the road construction work.The police said no  complaint has so far been lodged by the construction company.The incident has created panic in the district with the company reportedly now  reluctant to continue with the assignment under the Centre’s Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) road project work.  The project is aimed at providing better road communication between Malkangiri and Jeypore.