Kandhamal: Maoists on Tuesday gunned down a woman official on polling duty near Barala village under Gochapada police limits of Kandhamal district.
The deceased was identified as Sanjukta Digal, a resident of Kandribali. She was the sector officer and was on her way to the polling booth along with other officials to oversee the arrangements at polling booths.
Sources said Maoists triggered a landmine blast in front of vehicle carrying Digal and three others officials. When the driver reversed the vehicle in a bid to flee the spot, the Maoists started firing. Sanjukta received bullets in her head.
She was immediately rushed to a hospital nearby and later shifted to Kandhamal District Headquarters Hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.
Earlier in the day today, Maoists reportedly blew up two vehicles carrying polling personnel at Mingunpadar under Sundarbandh panchayat in the district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of Sanjukta.
“Deeply anguished by the sad demise of polling supervisor Sanjukta Digal in Maoist attack in Kandhamal district of #Odisha on her way to polling booth. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayer for the departed soul,”
Kandhamal parliamentary constituency and seven Assembly segments coming under it is going to polls on Thursday.
