Sarpanch candidate in Naxal-affected Dantewada murdered

Dantewada | Correspondent: A Sarpanch candidate Joga Barsa from the naxal-affected Aranpur panchayat of Dantwada district was murdered by slitting throat by the alleged Naxalites late on Thursday evening. 

According to sources, the alleged Naxalites forcefully broke down the door with an axe and entered the house. 

They then brutally murdered Joga with a sharp weapon. Despite pleading of the family to spare him assailants showed no mercy. 

The incident took place around seven and eight in the evening. 

The family members stated they could not see their faces as the suspected Naxalites had covered their faces to hide their identity.

Ahead of three-tier Panchayat elections, this Naxalite incident has instilled fear among the villagers. 

Fear grips among the villagers amid Naxal threats

Villagers of Aranpur panchayat revealed that Joga’s wife had previously served as Sarpanch of the village. 

This time, with the seat reserved for a male candidate, Joga himself decided to contest for the elections. 

He had long been on the radar of Naxalites and had received threats in the past. 

However, on Thursday night, the Naxalites executed their warning, killing him.

Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai stated upon receiving the information about the incident, the police have begun investigation and intensified search operation in the surrounding areas. 

Rising threats to Public Representatives

Ensuring security and safety of the public representatives during the panchayat elections in the naxal-affected Bastar remains a significant challenge for the police. 

Over the past two years, Naxalites have been creating such threats and fear among the villagers persistently targeting and killing local representatives.

Despite police assurances of protection for candidates in this election, the latest attack has heightened fear among those contesting from highly sensitive areas.