Jeep set ablaze by armed Naxalites

Jeypore, Feb 25 (UNI) Armed Naxalites have set afire a passenger jeep at Pega Ete village under Naran Patna Police station in Koraput district on the Orissa-Andhra Pradesh border about 140 km from here.

Police said around 14 armed Naxalites intercepted the jeep near Pega Ete village and set it ablaze last night after asking the passengers to get down.

The rebels, the sources said, suspected the jeep owner to be a police informer and so burnt down his vehicle.

Senior Police officials rushed to the spot this morning.

A week ago the Naxalites had held a camp at nearby Bargi and Langalbeda Panchayats and warned the landlords of serious consequences if they did not support them.

Barely ten days ago Naxalites had swooped down on police stations in Nayagarh, killed 14 policemen and looted armouries.

UNI XC-BD PL MSJ DS1521