Naxalites Kill 3 Villagers, Abduct Several in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Bijapur | Correspondent: In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur, suspected Naxalites strangled three villagers to death. Additionally, the Naxalites have abducted a large number of villagers.

The villagers who were killed were relatives of surrendered Naxalite Dinesh Modiyam.

According to sources, the incident took place in the Naxal-affected village of Peddakorma, where late Tuesday evening, a large number of Naxalites arrived and strangled Dinesh Modiyam's three relatives- Jhingu Modiyam, Soma Modiyam, and Anil Madvi, with ropes.

The village has been gripped by fear since the incident.

According to the police, the Naxalites have also abducted some villagers, and the police are trying to gather more information about them. Police stated: "The Naxalites are frustrated."

About one and a half months ago, Dinesh Modiyam, a former DVCM member of an active Naxalite group in the Mutwendi region, surrendered to the Bijapur police.

A bounty of ₹8 lakh had been announced on Dinesh by the police. His surrender had angered the Naxalites.

Additional SP of Naxal Operations, Chandrakant Gavarna, stated that the police have received information about the murder of three villagers and reports of some villagers being abducted, which are being verified.

The Additional SP said that over the past few months, the Maoist organization has suffered continuous setbacks, including the surrender of its members, which has frustrated the Naxalites and led them to commit such acts.

On Wednesday morning, a police team will reach the spot to recover the bodies and send them for post-mortem. Following the incident, all police stations, posts, and camps in the district have been put on alert.

Peace efforts may be harmed- Bela Bhatia

Meanwhile, regarding the killing of three villagers by Naxalites, social activist and lawyer Bela Bhatia stated that this is a crime.

In a statement, she said, "The killing of three people and the assault of seven others in Peddakorma is highly condemnable. The murder of any human being, by anyone, is a crime."

Bela Bhatia said that the dozen or so villagers abducted by the Maoists should be released immediately. She added that such incidents will harm the ongoing public efforts for ceasefire, peace, and justice in Bastar.