Collector''s abduction affects govt functioning in Malkangiri

Malkangiri (Orissa), Feb 18 (PTI) Abduction ofMalkangiri district collector and a junior engineer by Maoistshas paralysed government functioning including the censusexercise in the district, official sources said today.

Demanding safe release of Krishna, Malkangiri districtunit of All Orissa Non-Gazetted Officers'' CoordinationCommittee today said unless the duo was immediately released,they would not perform any work including census.

In a memorandum submitted to additional districtmagistrate Sundarlal Sil here, the Committee said allgovernment offices, schools, colleges and courts in thedistrict would remain closed indefinitely as a mark ofsolidarity with the duo.

District collector R V Krishna and the junior engineerPabitra Majhi were kidnapped by Maoists during their visit toChitrakonda in the district on Wednesday evening.

The ADM said the memorandum was forwarded to the stategovernment.

Meanwhile, the district headquarter observed aspontaneous bandh for the second day today with all the shopsand business establishments remaining closed though no callfor shut-down was given by anyone.

A large number of people today took a rally heredemanding safe release of the collector in which people fromall walks of life attended.