A CRPF jawan was killed and two others injured on Friday morning in landmine blasts triggered by Maoists opposing the Republic Day celebrations and blocking the state highway at several places.The jawans were on their way to clear the highway between Motu and Kalimela villages — about 60 km from here — on a tip off that Maoists had blocked the road by felling trees. Police sources say seven jawans were on their way to the spot when the Maoists triggered the blasts, killing one — Havaldar Ghanashyam Singh — on the spot and injuring two. After the explosion, the rebels fired at the security personnel who returned the fire.The Maoists had engineered the road blockade to oppose the Republic Day celebrations, the police said. Among those injured was CRPF head constable Umashankar Singh, who was rushed to the district headquarters hospital. The other jawan, who suffered minor injuries, was discharged after being administered first aid. Security personnel, who rushed to Telrai and Vejangwada after being informed of the road blockades, were also fired at by the ultras, police said.Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the attack and announced an ex-gratia of Rs three lakh to the next of kin of the CRPF havaldar. The state government would also bear the cost of treatment of those injured, he said.
