Maoists call for one-day strike in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR - Protesting the killing of four Maoists in a gun battle, the Left rebels have called for a 24-hour strike Monday in Orissa’s Malkangiri and Koraput districts, police said Thursday.

Claiming that those killed by the police were innocent villagers, the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist distributed leaflets and put out posters in the region, a police officer told IANS.

At least four Maoists were killed in a gun battle with police near Karlakuta village in Malkangiri district, over 600 km from here, during combing operation Nov 4.

The rebels have asked people in Malkangiri district and Laxmiput and Baipariguda blocks of neighbouring Koraput district to cooperate in the strike by keeping their vehicles off roads and closing down shops.

“Police are framing innocent tribals and arresting them on false charges,” said a poster signed by Poonam Chand, who claimed to be the secretary of a local Maoists outfit, according to the police.