Why Were Two Surrendered Maoists Kidnapped and Killed in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two surrendered Maoists were executed by armed insurgents in Bijapur district.
- Heightened tensions in the region as violence escalates amidst ongoing counterinsurgency operations.
- Victims were targeted under suspicion of being police informants.
- Authorities are working to ensure civilian safety amidst the conflict.
- Significant implications for local communities as violence continues.
Raipur, June 22 (NationPress) The grip of insurgency tightened once more in Chhattisgarh’s troubled Bijapur district, as Maoist insurgents brutally murdered two civilians who had previously surrendered. The heinous act took place during a late-night raid on Saturday, with both victims having laid down their arms just months prior in search of a peaceful existence.
The incident unfolded in Empur village, under the jurisdiction of the Pamed police station, where armed Maoists stormed the homes of the men. “Their battered and lifeless bodies were later discovered nearby. The deceased have been identified as Samaiya, a former Maoist who had surrendered this year, and Veko Deva, a resident of Empur,” stated Chandrakant Governa, Additional Superintendent of Police, Bijapur, in an interview with IANS.
The two men were forcefully taken from their residences in the Naxal-impacted villages of Sendrabor and Empur, as reported by the officer.
Local sources indicate that the victims faced brutal violence before their execution. Their remains were later discarded in the village, inciting fear among the local populace.
The armed group targeted the home of a surrendered cadre late Saturday evening. The victim, along with another villager, was abducted and subsequently executed on suspicion of acting as a police informant, according to reports.
“The bodies were found early Sunday, leading the Bijapur police to send a verification team to the location,” the police officer added.
This latest violent act surfaces amidst heightened anti-Maoist operations throughout the state. Security forces have recently implemented coordinated offensives such as Operation Black Forest and Operation Kagar, eliminating several high-ranking Maoist leaders, including CPI(Maoist) General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju.
This marks the fifth targeted murder in the district within just one week, highlighting a disturbing escalation in retaliation tactics as Maoists respond to intensified security measures in the area. These operations, while yielding significant results, seem to have incited retaliatory attacks by the insurgents, increasingly focusing on civilians and former cadres.
The murders coincided with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, during which he is anticipated to assess the state’s counterinsurgency strategy and engage with security forces in Narayanpur.
Police officials have reaffirmed their dedication to bringing the culprits to justice and safeguarding civilians in conflict-stricken regions. Investigations are ongoing, and further security measures are being contemplated in at-risk areas.