Maoists put up threatening posters in Bhubaneswar

Christians fear backlash as fresh posters alleging vengeance on Hindu leaders were seen on walls and culverts in Bhubaneshwar.

The posters by banned Maoists threatened "death to the supporters of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)," which they claim are hostile to minorities and tribals.

"Everybody in the country has the right to practise and preach their own religion. Nobody should come to obstruct the process," the poster said.

Police meanwhile have secured the violence-sensitive areas. "We have taken the matter very seriously. Seven posters have been seized. A formal case has been registered. Investigations are on to verify authenticity of the posters," Commissioner of Police Bijay Sharma said.

Last month, posters were seen in Puburia village, holding out a threat to eliminate four persons. The posters came out five days after the killing of a Sangh Parivar activist Dhanurajaya Pradhani at Kumbharigaon. Pradhani was in the hit list of the Maoists.

On August 23, when VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati was murdered by the Maoists, Hindu fundamentalists ignoring the claims, accused Christians and indulged in large scale attacks on the miniscule community.

At least 110 have been killed and 50,000 innocent rendered homeless. The situation is still very volatile and violence continues unabated in the state.