Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected Bastar region Wednesday claimed responsibility for the murder of a local BJP leader. This is the 11th such murder in the region since last year.
The deceased, Kudiyam Maodo, 35, was the deputy chief of BJP’s farmer wing for Bijapur’s Kutru block.
Maodo died at around 10 pm on Tuesday in the remote Somanpalli village, about 50 km away from Bijapur headquarters. The deceased was “dragged out of his home in front of his wife”, a local BJP leader alleged.
The national park area committee members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) claimed responsibility for the murder, claiming Maodo was a “police informer”.
Meanwhile, an alleged Maoist was killed in an encounter with forces Wednesday morning. According to officials, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) received information about the presence of a divisional committee member and platoon commander of Maoists — along with 30-40 Maoists — hiding in the forest around Munga village approximately 16 km southeast of Bijapur headquarters.
A team of DRG jawans left for the spot, which was around 8 km away from the Palnar camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Additional Superintendent of Police, Bijapur, Chandrakant Gavarna said: “While on the way, two jawans suffered minor injuries in an IED blast including one who suffered a splinter injury. However, our team showed courage and moved forward. They faced indiscriminate firing from Maoists and they fired back. After the firing stopped, search operations were conducted and a Maoist dressed in uniform (of the People’s Liberation Guerilla Army, an armed wing of Maoists) was found dead. He is being identified.”
Story continues below this ad
During search operations, forces allegedly found a 9mm pistol, an IED, and six remote switches for IEDs.
In the last seven days, Maoists have allegedly killed five people, including Maodo, after accusing them of being informers.
Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India.
Expertise and Experience
Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of:
Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages.
Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states.
Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering:
Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements.
Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law.
Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in:
Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel.
Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India.
Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More
