Maoists return looted mobiles, cash to poll personnel

In an unusual incident, Maoists who looted cell phones and cash from polling officials in Orissa during first phase of elections returned them along with an apology letter.      

The ultras have sent back four mobile phones and cash Rs 7,000 to the Kalimela Block Development Officer's (BDO) office along with an apology letter, District Collector, Nitin Bhanudas Jawale said here today.           

The cellphones and money, looted from polling officials in Malkangiri district on April 16, were returned to their respective owners yesterday.           

The letter, bearing the name of Malkangiri Divisional Committee, CPI (Maoist), said the red rebels did not intend to harm and loot the polling officials, Jawale said.           

"Some of our cadre did it without the knowledge of our central committee and we are sorry for the act," the Collector, quoting the letter, said.         

Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to conduct repolling in 17 booths in Naxal pockets of the district where voting could not be held in first phase as the ultras had kidnapped the poll officials and set EVMs afire.           

However, the date of repoll is yet to be decided.