Unclaimed bodies of slain Maoists to be buried today, says Malkangiri SP

Vijaywada: By Friday morning, the Odisha police has handed over 15 of the 28 bodies of slain Maoists to their family members and relatives. It is waiting for the relatives of the other deceased rebels to come arrive at Malkangiri and receive their bodies.

“If no one comes forward today to claim the remaining bodies, the police will bury them as per National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) guidelines” Malkangiri superintendent of police (SP) Mitrabhanu Mahapatra told this newspaper on Friday.

In another development, it was revealed that six of the four missing villagers who were picked up by the Maoists on Sunday night to cook food for them were killed during the encounter.

The four villagers killed in the crossfire were identified as Shinde Khila of Mukudipali, Kamulu Sanabarisia of Jadamba, Jayaram Khila and Samala Pangi of Similipadar.

Mukudipali, Jodamba and Similipadars are small hamlets under Panasuput gram panchayat located in the Chitrakonda reservoir cut area.

The identities of the two other missing villagers were not yet known.

It may be mentioned here that at least 28 Maoists were killed by during a joint operation by the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha police in Bhejing jungle under Panasput gram panchayat on Monday morning. A Greyhound commando of Andhra Pradesh police was also killed in the exchange of fire.