More than 10,000 tribals in the area covering 15 villages along the Andhra-Orissa border held peace rallies on Friday seeking kidnapped collector Vineel Krishna’s release.
Though no bandh call was given, normal life was paralysed in tribal-dominated areas on both sides of Andhra-Orissa border as schools, colleges, offices and shops remained closed for the second day in a protest against the kidnapping.
Hundreds of tribals in the Balimela reservoir area staged a protest rally and demanded the rebels release him.
”He was the only government official to have visited the cut-off areas (interior villages which have no transportation facilities) in the last 15 years and initiate development programmes for our welfare,” said Pradeep Gharide of Bodapada.
Peace processions were also held in Maoist-infested Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts. A large number of students, teachers, intellectuals and lawyers took part in the rallies demanding the Maoists release Krishna unconditionally.
”We had no clue about government welfare schemes till collector Vineel Krishna visited our area. We need officers who are committed and work for the welfare of people,” Bode Narsing, a farmer from Rallagedda.
Students of the Central University of Orissa held a rally in Koraput and members of self-help groups took out marches expressing solidarity with Krishna’s family.