Residents of Kirtanpalli gram panchayat in the district are clueless about the whereabouts of 13 people kidnapped by suspected Maoists, though Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said police were engaged in tracking them.
"Police have been working hard to track them," Patnaik told reporters.
Inspector General of Police Y K Jethwa, said "We have been keeping a watch on the situation."
However, family members of the 13 persons abducted on Monday night, are a worried lot.
"I do not know whether my son is alive or dead. The Maoists picked him up from our house on Monday night. Though we have informed the incident to the police station, no policeman visited our place," said 80-year-old Tanduku Bhumia, the father of Trinath Bhumia.
Tanduku is not the only person anxious about the safety of his kin. Several families in the villages of Kirtanpalli, Barha, Sanaguma and Luneru are awaiting for the return of their loved ones from the captivity of the Maoists.
The villagers claimed that as many as 13 persons from four villages under Kirtanpalli gram panchayat under Mathili block were kidnapped by the Maoists.
"The Maoists had promised us they would release my husband on Tuesday morning after a meeting, he is yet to return," said Manjulata, the wife of Trinath Bhumia.
The Malkangiri district police was tight lipped over the matter.
