Third In A Week: Brutal Murders Of BJP Workers In Chhattisgarh; Baghel Says Naxalites Fighting To Stay Relevant

Three workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been killed in a span of a week in Chhattisgarh.

The latest incident occurred on 11 Februrary when Ramdhar Alami, a 43-year-old former sarpanch, was brutally murdered by Maoists in Dantewada district's Barsoor while he was returning home to Hitameta village.

The killing occurred a few hours after the visit of the BJP President J.P. Nadda to Bastar (Dantewada's neighbouring district), during which he criticized the Congress government in the state for the surge in Naxal violence, particularly targeting BJP workers.

The Maoists reportedly left a note at the scene of the crime accusing Alami of being a police informant and supporting the proposed Bodhghat dam project. Alami had been associated with the BJP for the past 15 years and had served as the Vice-President of Barsur division in 2018.

This follows the killing of Sagar Sahu, Vice President of the Narayanpur district unit of the BJP, on 10 Februrary. He was shot dead at his home in Chhotedongar village. Two unidentified persons reportedly entered his home and shot him in front of his family members. Sahu was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

On 5 February, Neelkanth Kakem, President of Awapalli mandal unit of the BJP, was hacked to death by Naxalites in Bijapur district. The incident took place while Kakem was attending a wedding function with his family in Paikram village.

Similarly, on 17 January, the body of Budhram Kartam, the secretary of the a district unit of the BJP, was found below a culvert near Kilepal village in Bastar district with injuries to his face. However, the police claimed it to be the case of hit and run.

During the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Arun Sao, BJP Chhattisgarh President and Member of Parliament from Bilaspur seat, demanded an independent investigation into the recent killings of BJP members in the state. Sao alleged that there was a political conspiracy against BJP leaders and that the state government had withdrawn their security.

Another BJP MP, Vijay Baghel, has claimed that there is an atmosphere of fear and terror in the state, with liquor and drugs being sold freely. He demanded an independent investigation into the killings and urged the central government to intervene.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel, speaking to reporters, claimed that the Maoists are weakening and therefore indulging in sporadic violence to keep themselves relevant. He also accused the BJP of exploiting the situation for political mileage.

With elections due in the state later this year, a politically unstable environment in Chhattisgarh could potentially compromise the integrity of free and fair elections.

(with inputs from PTI)