Maoists kill two villagers in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, May 12 (IANS) Maoists Monday killed two villagers in Odisha,among them a former village council chief, after accusing them of spying on them for the police, an official said.

The rebels Saturday night raided Talagolur village in Koraput district, over 500 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, torched three bikes and a tractor, and abducted three villagers.

Inspector General of Police Yashwant Jethwa told IANS the rebels killed two of the abducted villagers Monday and let go the third.

"Those killed were former village council chief Taudu Pateli and Simhalu B., brother of the present village council chief. Their bodies were found on the outskirts of their village," he said.

"Two Maoists carrying rewards on their heads were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in the region March 4. The rebels (were) believed to have committed the latest crimes out of frustration," he added.

Koraput district is considered as one of the Maoists' strongholds.