6 killed in Maoists, police crossfire; Odisha orders probe

Police said the six were caught in an exchange of fire between security personnel and Maoists while they were travelling in an auto-rickshaw at Gumutmaha village in a dense forest area near Kuttamgarh under Tumudibandha police station jurisdiction last night. 

Five of those caught in the cross fire died on the spot, while another person succumbed to injuries later, Kandamal superintendent of police Pinak Mishra told reporters. The condition of four others, who were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur was stated to be serious, said a police official.

The SP said acting on information about Maoist movement in the area, CRPF, Special Operations Group and district voluntary force (DVF) personnel had set up an ambush but the auto-rickshaw carrying the villagers came in between.

“It is unfortunate that the civilians were caught in the cross fire. Those killed included two women and a minor boy,” he said.