Poll officials say Maoists had abducted them in Odisha

The two, Praveen Soren and Kaminikant Si, told the police that Maoists had forced them to attend their praja court. “We were abducted while we were on duty at our respective panchayats. We were taken to a place near Gora Setu and produced before a praja court where around 20-22 Maoists were present. They asked us not to participate in the panchayat polls,” Si said.

DIG S Shyni said that three gram panchayat officials had also been abducted. “Details will be known after an inquiry is over. The SP and collector will inform the State Election Commission about the security issues.”