Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 (IANS): Maoists Saturday shot dead a contractor in Odisha's Malkangiri district hours after killing two people in the region, police said.

A group of rebels went to MV-90 village (Malkangiri village) on three bikes and asked contractor Gobinda Saha to come with them. When he refused, they shot him dead, Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh told IANS.

The latest killing comes hours after the rebels killed two people, Jaga Madakami and Tulsi Behera, in the region. Their bodies were found in Bhejangwada village.

Madakami and Behera were among six people kidnapped Thursday by a group of rebels from Chintalwada and Ramaguda villages, about 700 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. The rebels had set free the others a day later.

Maoists are active in more than half of Odisha's 30 districts. Malkangiri is considered to be one of their strongholds.

Singh said the Maoists are losing grip on people following the setting up of a Border Security Force camp in the area. Besides, massive combing operations in the region have bolstered the confidence of the residents.

The rebels are also frustrated because people are not cooperating and have, therefore, resorted to terror tactics like abduction and killing, he said.