By Manoj Kar
Kendrapara(Odisha), July 17: After serving in the Maoist-infested Malkangiri district for over four years, the Special Operation Group constable Chitta Ranjan Pradhan, a native of Janhimula hamlet near here, had prayed for his transfer from the troubled area.

His plea was not addressed to. Finally 28-year-old constable had to part with his life as Left wing extremists blew up the anti-landmine vehicle on Wednesday in Malkangiri's MV-126 village killing him along with 16 other colleagues.

A pall of gloom descended on the sleepy Janhimula village as news of Pradhan's death spread fast.

“It's not the Maoists but the government is the murderer of my husband,” said Jayanti while crying inconsolably.

The slain constable, the lone earning member of the four-member family, had got married only on December 2007. His spouse is expecting a baby in a couple of months.

“He was exasperated with the job. He had almost lost mental balance fighting out the Maoists for four years. He had made a series of representations to senior police officers and had sought for his transfer,” Jayanti rued.

“The officials had promised to honour his prayer after completion of three years' stint in Malkangiri. But their promise was never fulfilled. And I have been widowed at a young age. My would-be-child would never feel the warmth of paternal love and affection,” she narrated with tears streaming down her moist eyes.