Times of India, Aug 27, 2010
LANJIGARH (KALAHANDI): One isn't sure whether Rahul Gandhi is aware who Lado Sikoka is, but the Dongria Kondh leader addressing the same tribal rally as the Congress general secretary on Thursday led to many an arched eyebrow because the police claims Sikoka is a suspected Maoist.
Sikoka (38), a prominent tribal agitating against Vedanta group's bid to mine bauxite from Niyamgiri Hills, delivered his address to thousands of people shortly before Rahul landed at the venue on a chopper. Sikoka, who has been in the news since the police picked him up on August 9 and later released him under mysterious circumstances, garlanded Rahul in the presence of senior Congress leaders and security personnel.
"We suspect he's a Maoist and had picked him up for verification," said DIG, south-western range, Sanjeeb Panda. Sikoka's presence on a platform along with Rahul came on a day PM reiterated his government's pledge to fight against the Maoists at a conference of police chiefs.
Police sources said the Red rebels have of late been frequenting the Niyamgiri Hills, which spread along the border of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts, and Sikoka is in touch with them. While Kalahandi has thus far not recorded any significant extremist violence, Rayagada is among the worst Maoist-hit districts.
Sikoka, in his speech, said police had abducted him because he was opposing Vedanta and tortured him for four days by branding him a Maoist.
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