Sundargarh (Orissa), Dec 13 (ANI): Scores of residents of at least five Maoist infested villages in Orissa’s Sundargarh district on Saturday staged a sit-in protest demanding security cover as they are facing threats from the red ultras.

The move comes in the backdrop of increasing Maoist violence in several nearby villages namely Mahupada, Langalakata, Jharbeda, Sanbalijore and Rehlatur in Koida block.

Protestors alleged that the rebels have been troubling them over the years and many villagers left their homes following Maoists threat.

“They kidnap people at night, we need protection. Police has said that now they will send forces. They have said that they’ll send security forces on patrol. We hope they send it but they should be here maximum time because we face lot of trouble at night. A few days back they abducted three-four boys and then later sent them back after beating them,” said Bipin, a local.

As police assured additional forces, villagers have agreed to help policemen in the fight against the Maoists, but say the rebels still hold influence over swathes of the remote region.

“When people don’t go willingly then they catch hold of that person, whether the person is rich or poor. And then they scare them and beat them and try to kidnap them,” said Rajaram, another local.

Orissa is among the most Maoist affected states of India.

The red rebels have ignored repeated calls to renounce violence and negotiate and have stepped up their attacks in recent past months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike. (ANI)