BJP leader & Maoist killed in separate incidents in Bastar

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.”

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.