Maoist fear: Gramsabhas not held in two red-hit dists

JEYPORE/BHUBANESWAR: Gramsabhas could not be held in the interior rural pockets of Maoist infested areas like Koraput and Malkangiri district on Wednesday due to threat from the Maoists, sources said.

The proceedings of Gramsabha started from Wednesday and it would continue for two days. Gramsabhas could not be held at different panchayats of Lamataput block in Koraput district on the very first day as the Maoists protested the meeting by issuing posters at the meeting place.

On the other hand, the people of different panchayats under Narayanpatna block of Koraput district didn’t come to the meeting place of Gramsabha as the Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh had issued boycott notice at the meeting place before. The block and panchayat officials returned from different Gramsabha meeting places under the block after reading Sangh’s boycott notice.

Similarly, Gramsabhas were suspended at Gamhakonda under Kalimela police station in Malkangiri district due to threat from the Maoists. Gramsabha were suspended at 27 places of eight panchayats in the district.

It may be noted that Pallisabhas were organised at different villages from October 2 to 12. Due to threat from the Maoists, the Pallisabha could not be held at 129 villages including 37 villages in Koraput and 92 villages in Malkangiri district in the State, while the State Government would organise Pallisabhas again if the people of the area want, said Panchayati Raj Minister Kalpataru Das.