Dhakadpadar

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Maoist terror has caused 15 families of Dhakadpadar in Malkangiri district to desert the village. It is located in the cut-off area across the Balimela reservoir under Chitrakonda police limits.

About 53 people, along with 47 cows, 60 goats and their belongings, started their journey in the early hours of Wednesday. The same day, DGP Sanjeev Marik, while reviewing law and order situation in southern Odisha, had said less than 100 Odia Maoist cadres are currently operating in the state

The villagers trekked around 35km across hilly terrain, dense forests and water bodies to reach Khairaput block headquarters on Thursday afternoon. They alleged that the Maoists regularly harassed and tortured them for not obeying their diktat.

"The rebels frequent our village and demand food and shelter. The cadres also ask us to attend their meetings and support their ideology. If we refuse to do their bidding, they assault us. They even threaten to kill us," said a Dhakadpadar villager at Khairaput.