Two teachers suspected killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur: Police

Police said the bodies of the deceased have not yet been recovered and search operations are underway in the forests

Published on: Jul 15, 2025, 20:19:29 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR: Two teachers are suspected to have been killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Monday night, police said on Tuesday.

Police said their teams are trying to reach the crime scene for confirmation and recovery of the bodies.

The suspected killings took place in Indravati National Park under Farsegarh police station limits, which is one of the most inaccessible areas in south Bastar.

Inspector general (IG) of police, Bastar range, Sunderraj P said that police have acknowledged the incident and begun an investigation, though full details are still being verified. The bodies of the deceased have not yet been recovered and search operations are underway in the forests.

The victims have been identified as Vinod Maade, a resident of Pillur village who was posted as a Shiksha Doot (education volunteer) in Kondapadgu village, and Suresh Metta, 29, a resident of Tekameta village, who was working as a Shiksha Doot in his native village.

“Due to the interior and forested terrain of the crime scene, the bodies of the deceased have not yet been recovered. Search operations are underway, and police teams are trying to reach the location for confirmation and recovery,” the IG said.

“Initial reports suggest that the two education volunteers were suspected by Maoists of acting as police informants, which is a common accusation used by insurgents to justify such killings,” he added.

However, the Maoists have not taken responsibility for the killing so far, and no pamphlets or messages have been recovered from the site.

This latest incident comes amid an alarming increase in civilian killings in Maoist-affected areas.

According to official data, 24 civilians have been killed in Maoist-related violence so far in 2025, following 71 civilian deaths recorded in 2024.

Security officials note that this trend is directly linked to the intensified anti-Maoist operations across Bastar over the past year. As security forces push deeper into Maoist strongholds, insurgents appear to be retaliating by targeting suspected informants and government-linked personnel.

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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