Maoists torch construction equipment, trucks

NUAPADA: Maoists struck along the border of Turekela and Khariar blocks on Saturday night and set afire construction equipment, trucks and a generator at a stone crusher unit of DD Builders owned by one Dambrudhar Agrawal. The ultras belonged to the Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund Divisional Committee of the CPI (Maoist) outfit and the incident took place near the Baresbahali village in Bhuliasikhuan gram panchayat of Khariar block. According to reports, around 30 armed Maoists arrived at the stone crusher unit around 9 pm and took away all the mobile phones in possession of the staff and workers before locking them up in a room.Later they torched vehicles, a generator set and other equipment with diesel from the vehicles. The Maoists also left behind posters in which they protested lack of minimum wage to the workers stating that while male workers were paid ` 60, women got just ` 40. They also opposed diversion of water from Lower Indra Irrigation Project to industries.  Khariar SDPO Sashibhusan Satpathy rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation. Investigation is on.BSF Busts Training CampMalkangiri: BSF personnel on Saturday unearthed a training camp of the outlawed CPI-Maoist at Similipadar village under Badpadar panchayat.The cut-off region is on the other side of the Chitrakonda reservoir.Acting on a tip-off, the paramilitary forces raided the area and busted the training camp. Three country-made guns, wires and Maoist literature were recovered from the spot, said Chitrakonda IIC.