Posters threaten teachers against defying orders

MALKANGIRI: Maoists have threatened to chop off the hands of teachers who defy the two-day bandh call from November 16. The posters found at Nakamamudi, Chitapari-I and Tarlakota areas under Orkel police limits have asked the teachers to ensure that the schools are closed on those two days. The ultras are protesting non-fulfilment of the 14 demands agreed to by the State Government during the release of the then Collector R Vineel Krishna, in February this year. The ultras have urged the Government to release all the 21 political prisoners languishing in Malkangiri sub-jail. They have also sought action against the police for the alleged fake encounter of Padia Madhi at Potteru  village on September 8. The handwritten posters have spread panic among the residents and specially the teaching community. “Maoists have made their presence felt here and that is no good news for us,” said a local resident. The police, meanwhile, have removed the posters. The police had hinted at increasing presence of non-Odisha cadres, mostly from Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, in the southern districts in the last few months. They are planning bigger offensive in Malkangiri, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Gajapati districts, police sources said.