Maoists abduct four villagers in Odisha

Suspected Maoists today abducted four persons, including a village guard of Lakhpadar in Odisha's Kalahandi district, South Western Range DIG, S Shyni said.

According to villagers, about 10-12 members of an outlawed outfit forcibly took the four with them.

Police has intensified combing operations in Niyamgiri area, bordering Kalahandi-Rayagada districts.

Personnel of the elite Special Operation Group (SOG) and DVF have been pressed into service, the police officer said.

Binod Kumar Rao, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Bijepur Police Station, said the village guard had not been actively working, after he received threats from Maoists.