In Naxal-hit Bastar, SP uses WhatsApp to connect with scribes

In Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-hit Bastar, Kanker SP R N Dash has resorted to technology to connect with journalists. He has formed two WhatsApp groups called “Police News Kanker” and “Police and Press” where he posts messages and photographs related to crime in the district. The groups comprising journalists remain abuzz with discussions as Dash posts nearly two dozen messages from his phone. Most of Dash’s posts are related to Maoists, while others are press statements including details of seizures and surrenders.

An average message posted by Dash on “Police News Kanker” invites participation of the members: “Anyone wants to cover a news what they (Maoists) normally do with children in Bastar?.. A Nx (Naxal) commander Jani Salam who was operating in Rawas area of Kanker and (recently) surrendered to AP (Andhra Pradesh) police is with his gunman — A child who was supposed to be in school…” Dash followed up this message posted on Sunday with a photograph from the police records in which a uniformed Maoist is seen with a child.

“Maoists of the neighbouring states are using Chhattisgarh tribal kids as fodder. I hope people take up the issue and debate its implications,” he told The Indian Express. This is the first instance of an SP of a Maoist-hit district in Bastar using WhatsApp to connect with journalists.