Bhubaneswar: Secretary of Andhra-Odisha border zonal committee of Maoists, Bhumika alias Jagdambi, has released an audio tape claiming that eight innocent villagers lost their lives in the October 24 encounter in the cut-off areas of Malkangiri.
Accepting the death of several top Maoist leaders in the encounter, Bhumika has warned of strong reply from the red rebels against the incident.
Earlier, CPI (Maoist) east division committee secretary Kailash had released an audio tape on October 28 holding the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh responsible for the encounter.
Protesting the encounter, the Maoists had on Thursday observed bandh in five states including Odisha.
It may be recalled here that 28 Maoists were killed in a gun battle with security forces which also left a Grey Hounds commando dead in the cut-off areas of Chitrakonda in Malkangiri district on October 24.
Malkangiri superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said inquiries were being conducted to find out if any civilians were killed during the joint police operation.
