Chhattisgarh govt asks NIA to investigate killings of 3 BJP leaders in Bastar

The government claimed that Maoists in Bastar are upset as the region under their dominance is shrinking and therefore, are targeting public representatives.

Published on: Feb 17, 2023, 02:16:37 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, RAIPUR

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The Chhattisgarh Police have written a letter to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), seeking a probe into the killing of three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members in Bastar region by suspected Maoists in the last 10 days, the government said in a statement on Thursday.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel. (ANI)

The letter by director general of police (DGP) was addressed to NIA director general.

“The Chhattisgarh DGP has written a letter to NIA seeking to investigate the cases of three BJP leaders who were killed in the last 10 days,” the statement said.

Also Read: NIA sends letter rogatory to Pak, wants transfer of Pulwama attack evidences

On Saturday, former sarpanch and BJP functionary Ramdhar Alami was allegedly killed on suspicion of being a police informer, according to police officials.

On February 10, BJP’s Narayanpur district vice-president Sagar Sahu was shot dead in Chhote Dongar.

Prior to that on February 5, mandal president Neelkanth Kakkam was shot dead in Awapalli area of Bijapur district.

The government claimed that Maoists in Bastar are upset as the region under their dominance is shrinking and therefore, are targeting public representatives.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh likely to pay ₹2500 monthly unemployment allowance

The statement also said that chief minister Bhupesh Baghel lauded the efforts of the police in Maoist-affected areas to encourage the rebels to surrender.

“The chief minister said that the effective strategy of development, trust, and security has resulted in a significant reduction of the Maoist menace in the state,” the statement said.

A total of 555 Maoists surrendered in the state last year as a result of the government’s efforts for public welfare, the government said.

“During the same period, as many as 46 Maoists were killed in police encounters. In the last four years, cases against more than 900 families in insurgency-hit areas have been withdrawn, providing relief to innocent people. This was made possible through the government’s visionary approach to the welfare of the tribals and the sensitive handling by the police,” it added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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