Maoists condemn Akshay and Saina for helping CRPF martyrs’ kin
The condemnation by Maoists came less than a month after the rebels killed 25 paramilitary personnel and injured six in Chhattisgarh’s south Sukma region.
Chhattisgarh’s Maoists have lashed out at Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar and badminton star Saina Nehwal for giving financial help to the families of 12 CRPF jawans they killed in an ambush on March 11.
Injured paramilitary personnel being evacuated after a Maoist attack in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. (HT File Photo)
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A Maoist leaflet on Sunday said the popular actor and the Olympics medallist should not support forces that loot the poor.
The leaflet from CPI(Maoist) Bastar south sub-zonal bureau said they strongly condemned Akshay and Nehwal’s gesture. The Maoists appealed to celebrities to support their krantikari andolan (revolutionary movement) and the poor, and also speak against human rights violations and police atrocities.
The rebels also condemned cow vigilantes and said they were killing Muslims and Dalits under the pretext of preventing cow slaughter.
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Chhattisgarh’s special director general (anti-Maoist operations), DM Awasthi, said the leaflet “reflects their mentality” and everyone should denounce such a mentality. “Everyone appreciates what the two celebrities did for the martyrs and it is a nationalist approach.”
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Chhattisgarh’s special director general (anti-Maoist operations), DM Awasthi, said the leaflet “reflects their mentality” and everyone should denounce such a mentality. “Everyone appreciates what the two celebrities did for the martyrs and it is a nationalist approach.”
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Maoists have killed more than 3,000 civilians and security personnel across the country. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal are among the states most affected by left-wing extremism.
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.
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