Malkangiri: Police in Malkangiri arrested five individuals on Sunday for allegedly extorting money by posing as Maoists and threatening violence.
The accused, identified as Jagu Hantal, Mano Pangi, M. Narayan, Binod Jena, and Umakanta Madhavi, allegedly demanded money from people, warning them of execution in kangaroo courts if they refused.
Acting on a complaint from Bhaktaram Sisa, the Naib Sarpanch of Badapada Panchayat, Chitrakonda police launched an investigation. The accused had recently threatened to kill Sisa and a journalist in such a court, further raising alarm in the community.
A team from Chitrakonda police station apprehended the suspects and seized a gun, Maoist letterheads, and three mobile phones from their possession. They were forwarded to the court today,” said Malkangiri DSP Laxmidhar Swain.
Out of the five accused, three are locals from Badapada and two hail from Malkangiri. Authorities are continuing their probe into the extent of their activities.
