Maoists call for poll boycott

Sambalpur, Feb 10 (UNI) With three days left for the first phase of Panchayat elections in Orissa, the Maoists have started distributing leaflets asking people in this western Orissa town to boycott the poll.

To their surprise and dismay, people in this town have found leaflets and banners in the name of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) instructing them to boycott the ensuing poll.

The posters describe the entire election process as a fiasco. The leaflets and posters clearly indicate the presence of the Maoists and their supporters in the city in good numbers, much before the polling date.

The leaflets distributed in the town read of changes in leadership and government since independence but states that conditions of people remain unchanged.

''Once elected, our leaders get a five-year contract to swindle public property'' oneleaflet read while another one urged people to keep themselves away from the election.

Security in the area has been beefed up after the incident and police patrolling intensified.

Sambalpur Superintendent of Police S Devadutta Singh said the Maoists would not be successful in their efforts to mislead people on the poll boycott.

UNI