Maoists kill three villagers

Deogarh, Orissa, Jun 22 (UNI) Armed Maoists hacked to death three people and injured as many at Ranigola village about 60 kms from here, late last night.

Police today said nearly 10 armed Maoists raided the village at night and broke the doors of three houses, dragged the villagers on the street and hacked them to death.

The deceased were identified as Harischandra Naik, Bhubaneswar Naik and Prabhat Pradhan from Telikusum village. Harischandra's wife Sulochana and Prabhat Pradhan's father Umakanta and brother Pradeep were also injured in the attack.

All the three injured have been shifted to Deogarh Hospital.

Senior Police officials have rushed to the site and launched a combined operation in the area after the incident.

Last year, on July 3, four Maoists were killed in an encounter with the Orissa police in the village.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has condemned the killing of the villagers by the Maoists and announced an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate kin of the victims.

UNI