Chhattisgarh civilian killed in cross-firing, probe ordered

Inspector general of police Sunderaj P said that Punem Lakhu’s body was sent for a post-mortem on Thursday

An inquiry has been ordered into the death of a 48-year-old civilian allegedly in cross-firing between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Left-wing insurgency-hit Bijapur district, a police officer said.

Police said there was an exchange of fire between the Maoists and security forces. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Inspector general of police Sunderaj P said that Punem Lakhu’s body was sent for a post-mortem on Thursday. He added that there was an exchange of fire between the Maoists and security forces on Wednesday.

“The Maoists fired on the security forces. The police took retaliatory action forcing the Maoists to flee from the spot. Two to three Maoists may have sustained injuries,” Sunderaj P.

He added that a day later they were informed Laku died of bullet injuries. “An investigation is going on.”