Three health workers allegedly missing in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Maoists might have taken away the three for treatment of their cadres and will release them soon

Published on: Apr 9, 2021, 12:15:54 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Three health workers have gone missing from the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh’s Left-wing insurgency-hit Bastar region and are suspected to have been abducted by Maoists, people aware of the matter said on Friday.

The workers were reported missing a day after a commando of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who was taken captive by the insurgents after a gunfight between Maoists and security forces, was released.

The three were last seen in a village in the Gangaloor area. “Maoists tied their hands and took them away in the jungles..,” a person said on condition of anonymity.

Also Read | Days after Bijapur ambush, Maoists set CRPF commando free

Police officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Maoists might have taken away the three for treatment of their cadres and will release them soon.

Inspector general (Bastar range) Sunderaj P said that he has been informed about the possible abduction and he is verifying the information. “ We have information, and a team has been sent.”

Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, the CRPF commando released on Thursday, was taken captive after the April 3 gunfight between paramilitary forces and Maoists. He was released deep in a jungle and brought to Chhattisgarh’s Terrem police station along with the facilitators who went inside the jungle to trace his location.

Twenty-two security personnel were killed in the gunfight with Maoists on April 3 before Manhas was taken hostage.

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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