Chhattisgarh: Two villagers killed by Maoists in Bijapur’s Nelakanker Village

Preliminary reports suggest that a group of armed Maoists entered the village late at night and attacked the two men, killing them on the spot with sharp weapons: Police statement

Updated on: Oct 25, 2025, 12:44:00 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Raipur: Two villagers were allegedly killed by Maoists with sharp-edged weapons in Nelakanker village of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district late on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Ravi Kattam (25) and Tirupati Sodhi (38), both residents of Nelakanker village (Representative photo)

The deceased were identified as Ravi Kattam (25) and Tirupati Sodhi (38), both residents of Nelakanker village, a statement issued by the Bijapur police said.

Preliminary reports suggest that a group of armed Maoists entered the village late at night and attacked the two men, killing them on the spot with sharp weapons, the statement added.

Police said the exact reason behind the killings is yet to be confirmed, but initial inputs indicate that the deceased may have been accused of being police informers.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh: 3 Maoists, including a woman, killed in encounter in Kanker

A team of police officers from the Usur police station has reached the area, and verification of the incident is underway. “The information about the killings was received late at night. The matter is being verified, and a team has been sent to the spot to ascertain details,” an officer said.

With this incident, the total number of civilians killed in Maoist-related violence in the Bastar region this year has risen to 41.

Also Read: Maoists kill 2 villagers accusing them of being police informers in Chhattisgarh

The incident comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations in Bijapur and adjoining districts, where security forces have increased patrolling and surveillance in interior villages across the conflict-affected Bastar region of south Chhattisgarh.

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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