Maoists strike back to deliver justice

NUAPADA: Two months after a handful of villagers of Bhalupani, a hamlet of  Banijhipani village under Chulabhat gram panchayat in Nuapada block, killed a fellow villager, Dhaniram Majhi suspecting him to be a Maoist, the Red rebels reportedly struck back to avenge his death.On September 7, about 30 to 40 Maoists landed in the village and took along with them Shyama Majhi, Dayalu Kamar, Karticka Majhi and Mangal Majhi for their alleged involvement in Dhaniram’s death besides a few other villagers. It is learnt that ‘Praja Court’ was held in the night and the four were beaten up mercilessly.  Shyama died on the spot in the wee hours of September 8, while Dayalu died after reaching  home. Critically injured Karticka and Mangal are convalescing at their respective homes.There is an eerie silence in Bhalupani with men folk having left the village fearing further reprisals by the Maoists. While no case has been registered, DSP Prafulla Kumar Patra said efforts were on to verify the incident and action will be initiated accordingly. Reports said the deceased Dhaniram had lost his mental balance after his daughter eloped with boy and had become abusive. He was reportedly acting as a conduit for the Maoists and the villagers never dared to touch him. But when his behaviour became unbearable, a handful of villagers beat him to death and reportedly buried his body in the dense forest adjoining Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary.   Later, wife and brother of Dhaniram took up the matter with the Maoists seeking justice.