Pastor killed by Maoists in Bastar’s Bijapur: Chhattisgarh police

The deceased was dragged out of his house and attacked with sharp-edged weapons by the Maoists, who suspected that he might be a police informer.

Published on: Mar 19, 2022, 17:53:42 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Maoists allegedly killed a pastor on suspicion of being a police informer, in Bastar’s Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh police said on Saturday.

A pastor was allegedly killed by Maoists on suspicion of being a police informer, in Bastar’s Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh police said on Saturday. (HT PHOTO.)

The police claimed to have recovered a Maoist pamphlet from the spot and started further investigation into the killing.

“Yallam Shankar, a resident of Angampalliguda village under Maded police station of the district was allegedly killed by a group of armed Maoist cadres in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday,” said Inspector General of Police , Bastar range, Sunderaj P, in a statement on Saturday.

The IG further said that the deceased was dragged out of his house and attacked with sharp-edged weapons by the Maoists.

“Coincidentally, the deceased was a pastor in the area. In the pamphlet recovered from the spot, Maded area Committee of CPI (Maoist) claimed responsibility for the incident and accused the deceased of being a police informer,” the IG added.

The police said that the exact reason behind the murder would be known only after thorough investigation.

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