News Analysis India

Tag: Chhattisgarh

  • ITBP recommends service termination of DIG who asked unarmed personnel to transport teak wood in Maoist-hit Chhattisgarh

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has proposed the termination from the service of a DIG rank officer for his “involvement in corrupt practices” while deployed in a combat zone on anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh.

    It was late night on 12 December last year, when an ITBP lorry, carrying Teak (Sagwan) woods in big numbers, was obstructed by the villagers of Totalbharri in Maoist-affected Rajnandgaon district, about 120 km west of Raipur.

    The police and the forest officials the same night confiscated the wooden logs, seized the truck, registered a case and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on ITBP party onboard the vehicle.

    ITBP promptly took cognisance of the incident, ordered ‘Court of Inquiry’ to investigate the circumstances on using the lorry to “illegally” transport the Teak logs.

    Preliminary observation cited the involvement of DIG Chota Ram Jat who was then in charge of 44th battalion ITBP in Rajnandgaon to oversee the operations against outlawed CPI (Maoist). The DIG was then officially transferred to Leh on 28 December citing administrative reasons.

    As per the detail accessed by The New Indian Express, the ‘Court of Inquiry’ examined 36 witnesses. The internal probe indicted the DIG who placed orders sending five ITBP personnel including the driver without weapons on a truck to Totalbarri to “illegally” carry out loading, transporting of Teak wood. 

    “ITBP DIG Chota Ram Jat has compromised the security of ITBP personnel sending them to the Maoists-Affected area without proper security, violate laid down procedure on the movement of troops in such sensitive region and didn’t inform his higher authority. He misused his official position as DIG (anti-Maoist operations) and indulged in grave misconduct involving himself in illegal activities—illegally procured and transporting prohibited Teak wood in ITBP vehicle”, stated the inquiry documents.

    “We stand for zero tolerance against the unethical or corrupt practices”, said Vivek Pandey, ITBP public relations officer. 

    Owing to serious misconduct by the DIG, the ITBP rendered him as “undesirable for further retention in the service as he failed to perform with due integrity and devotion”.

    While recommending the termination of his services Jat has been served with a show-cause notice to submit his explanation.

    The environmentalists appreciated the speedy action initiated by ITBP.

    “There have been huge pending cases on illegal tree felling, smuggling of forest wood, wildlife poaching lying for the past 15-20 years but with little action taken. The ITBP did a commendable job taking a firm decision within nine months. They have indeed done a climate justice”, averred Nitin Singhvi, a nature lover.

  • Chhattisgarh: Sukma police take time off to engage, dine with surrendered Maoists to infuse new hope

    Express News Service

    RAIPURA: The surrender by hundreds of cadres of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the conflict zone of Bastar, south Chhattisgarh, are seen as one of the indicators of success during the ongoing anti-Maoist operations.

    While achieving such a significant goal, the Sukma SP Sunil Sharma believes that completion of the mission on surrender will only be realised after good reassurance gets instilled among those who were associated with the banned outfit but took a crucial decision and are now starting a new chapter in life.

    “The trust factor is vital. They have exuded faith in the state and the society. It is now our responsibility to ensure the Maoists who surrendered should get a feel of being readily accepted by all including the people and the administration after they relinquished their banned organisation. They should experience a sense of the mainstream society to live a life of dignity,” said Sukma district police chief.  

    Sharma, an IPS officer of 2017-batch, took charge of Sukma district in July this year and during the last 100 days he succeeded to win the confidence of 178 rebels under the ongoing the ‘Puna Narkom’ campaign (in local tribal Gondi dialect meaning “New Dawn”) launched by him.

    The SP and his team ordinarily interact with surrendered Maoists to begin with and try to address the revival of positiveness among them on behalf of the state and the local population.

    “Having meals together with the senior police officers, sharing our future concerns with them strengthens our resolve as they facilitate our joining the mainstream society,” said a surrendered Maoist Sodi Muya who carried a reward of Rs eight lakh on his head.

    The Sukma police believe the reposing of such trust remains personal for the cadres who laid down their arms, as they evaluate their present and future relations across the tribal dominated regions that also witnesses armed confrontation.

  • Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel is best performing CM: Governance index

    By Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is the best performing Chief Minister in the country, as per the CVoter governance index.

    The chief minister has received the highest popularity rating among CMs of states. The index report attributed Baghel’s popularity to a number of welfare schemes introduced by the state government. 

    Recent schemes such as Mahatari Dular Yojana under which the government will be providing free education to children studying in private schools, who lost their guardian/parents to Covid-19, were appreciated by all. The government will bear the entire expenses of their education.

    The report says that the chief minister is popular among the masses because of his decision-making ability and CEO style working. 

    In Chhattisgarh, 94% of the people are happy with the chief minister’s performance.

  • Chhattisgarh: 77 people, mostly kids, fall ill after consuming food at weekly market

    By PTI

    RAJNANDGAON: Seventy seven people, most of them children, fell ill after consuming various food items at a weekly market in a village in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district, a health official said on Wednesday.

    The market was held on Tuesday in Gatapar Kala village under Thelkadih police station area limits, Rajnandgaon’s chief medical and health officer Dr Mithlesh Chaudhary said.

    As per preliminary information, these people had consumed ‘gupchup’ (pani puri-a spicy snack) and other food items.

    Later, in the evening, they complained of uneasiness and vomiting following which they were rushed to a nearby health centre, the official said.

    From there, 77 people, including 57 children, were shifted to a medical college hospital in Pendri area for further treatment, he said.

    Out of them, 26 were discharged from on Wednesday morning, while the others were kept under observation and their condition was reported to be out of danger, the official said.

    Prima facie, food poisoning seems to be the cause of the illness, the official said, adding that further probe was underway into the matter.

    Following the incident, a health camp was organised on Wednesday in Gatapar Kala village for the medical examination of residents, he said.

    On October 6, nearly 100 people, mostly children, fell sick after eating a meal at a post-death ritual in a village in Mahasamund district.

    Besides, 17 people had fallen sick at a village in Bilaspur district on October 17 after consuming food at a similar event.

  • Chhattisgarh: Congress leader’s son, nine others held for thrashing cops

    By PTI

    JAGDALPUR: A senior Congress leader’s son and his nine associates were arrested for allegedly thrashing police personnel and trying to run a car over them and some civilians after a brawl in Chhattisgarh’s Kondagaon district, an officer said on Monday.

    The incident at Kondagoan, located around 75km from Jagdalpur, the headquarters of neighbouring Bastar district, took place at a garba event during the Navratri festival last week.

    The arrests were made last week and charges invoked against the accused included attempt to murder and rioting.

    The opposition BJP has alleged that such incidents of “misuse of political power” have become frequent in the Congress-ruled state.

    “The incident took place on October 13 night at a stadium in the Vikas Nagar area under Kondagaon police station limits. Later, ten accused, including the prime accused, Siddharth Shrivastav, were arrested,” Kondagaon Superintendent of Police Siddharth Tiwari said.

    They all were booked under sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 294 (obscene acts), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and others of the IPC and the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (some of the cops who were assaulted were tribals), he said.

    Further investigation was underway, Tiwari added.

    Siddharth Shrivastav is the son of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC) Secretary Manish Shrivastav.

    After getting information that some people have created ruckus at a garba event which was underway in the stadium as part of the Navratri celebrations, Kondagaon Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Nimitesh Singh along with other personnel rushed to the spot, another police official said.

    When the cops reached the spot and tried to pacify Siddharth Shrivastav, who is in his mid-20s, and his friends, who were engaged in the brawl, the accused allegedly thrashed and abused police personnel, he said.

    Meanwhile, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) also reached the spot to control the situation, but the accused misbehaved with him too, the official said.

    Later, Siddharth Shrivastav boarded a car and allegedly tried to run the vehicle over policemen and people present at the spot, he said.

    The Congress leader’s son was immediately nabbed, while his nine associates were held the next day, he added.

    Slamming the ruling Congress over the incident, BJP leader and former MLA Lata Usendi said when police personnel themselves are not protected under this government, then how the common people will feel safe?

    “The incident shows misuse of political power. This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Such incidents have become frequent under the Congress rule,” she said.

    Reacting to the episode, head of state Congress’s communication wing Sushil Anand Shukla said Manish Shrivastav is associated with the party not his son.

    Moreover, the CPCC Secretary has already declared that law will take its own course and if his son has committed any offence, he will face action, Shukla added.

  • Chhattisgarh hit-and-run: Locals call for shutdown in Jashpur, accused duo sent to judicial custody

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  A day after an SUV ploughed into a religious procession killing one person in Jashpur, tension prevailed in the town as locals called total for a shut-down and resorted to chakka-jam on National Highway-43 on Saturday. 

    A youth was killed and 17 others injured after the speeding vehicle rammed into a Dussehra gathering at Pathalgaon in the district. The district court on Saturday sent the two accused to 14-day judicial remand. Meanwhile, politicians begun turning up at Pathalgaon, further flaming the sensitive issue.

    Jashpur SP Vijay Agrawal ruled out any brake failure of the SUV and refused to confirm whether the two accused – Bablu Vishwakarma (21) and Shishupal Sahu (26) from Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh) –  were drunk or under the influence of drugs. 

    “More sections of the penal code might be added as the probe progresses. There are two FIRs lodged against the duo – one under IPC Sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 304 (culpable homicide), and the other related to Section 20(b) of NDPS Act (producing, possessing, selling, or uses cannabis),” said Agrawal. 

    When the accused were nabbed, the SUV was found to be burning. Locals claimed that the two were smuggling ganja (cannabis) and set the vehicle on fire themselves to destroy evidence. An eye-witness, who said he was a member of the Samiti (committee) which had organised the procession, alleged that the police allowed the SUV to pass even though it was suspected to be carrying ganja.

    Baghel sets new benchmark for compensation

    Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s impromptu announcement of Rs 50 lakh compensation to the family of each farmer killed at Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh) seems to have put him at the receiving end back home.  

    Such a declaration by the chief minister has apparently become a benchmark on compensation in Chhattisgarh. Now, there are several voices rising in the state demanding similar compensation for incidents in the recent past.

    Succumbing to the pressure of BJP, Baghel had to announce Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the youth killed at Pathalgaon. Amit Jogi, chief of regional outfit Janta Congress Chhattisgarh, said three villagers killed in Sukma police firing too should be given similar compensation

  • One dead, 16 hurt as car runs over Dussehra crowd in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur

    By Online Desk

    In a shocking incident reminiscent of the recent Lakhimpur Kheri violence, an SUV rammed into a religious procession in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur leading to the death of one and injuring 16 others.

    The vehicle ran over 20 persons at a Durga immersion procession. “One body was brought to the hospital, 16 others have been hospitalised. Two of them are being referred to other hospitals after an X-ray established fracture,” block medical officer James Minj was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

    The police have arrested two MP residents — Bablu Vishwakarma and Shishupal Sahu — who were passing through Chhattisgarh.

    CM Bhupesh Baghel issued a statement terming the incident heart-rending. “The culprits have been arrested. Action has been taken against police officers who appeared to be responsible. An inquiry has been ordered. Nobody will be spared,” the CM said. 

    The video of the incident shared on social media shows the speeding SUV coming at a great speed. People can be seen falling as the SUV ploughs into the procession and zooms ahead.  

  • Chhattisgarh: 130 COIVD deaths in last 3-odd months, none were inoculated with vaccines

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective and once again proven to life-saving. Gauge it from the record of Chhattisgarh state where 130 people died owing to coronavirus infections since July 1 and none of them were administered even with a single dose.

    The report compiled by the State Death Audit Committee, inquired into the deaths owing to Covid in recent months and found they had not received any vaccine doses.

    During the past three-odd months as many as 63560 people got infected with Covid and those who were inoculated with the vaccines have recovered. So far 13569 people have died owing to the Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh during the pandemic. There is now a consistent decline in the Covid fatalities recorded across the state.

    “People shouldn’t hesitate to go for the Covid-19 vaccines available. The vaccines can only safeguard us and reduce the risk of infection getting critical among the patients. Simultaneously everyone should continue to follow other protocol measures to fight the pandemic,” said Dr Subhash Mishra spokesperson of the state health department and Director (Epidemic Control).

    Health experts with a firm believe asserted that inspite of clinical trial continuing to prevent re-infections with new coronavirus variants, the people who received both the doses of the Covid vaccines presumably stand better protected against some of the worrying coronavirus forms. 

    Various districts including the state capital have reported a slow down of the vaccination process despite adequate availability of vaccines in various centres.

    Month
    COVID-19 Deaths
    July
    86
    August
    30
    September
    11
    October
    03

  • Chhattisgarh: 130 COVID deaths in last 3-odd months, none were inoculated with vaccines

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective and once again proven to life-saving. Gauge it from the record of Chhattisgarh state where 130 people died owing to coronavirus infections since July 1 and none of them were administered even with a single dose.

    The report compiled by the State Death Audit Committee, inquired into the deaths owing to Covid in recent months and found they had not received any vaccine doses.

    During the past three-odd months as many as 63560 people got infected with Covid and those who were inoculated with the vaccines have recovered. So far 13569 people have died owing to the Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh during the pandemic. There is now a consistent decline in the Covid fatalities recorded across the state.

    “People shouldn’t hesitate to go for the Covid-19 vaccines available. The vaccines can only safeguard us and reduce the risk of infection getting critical among the patients. Simultaneously everyone should continue to follow other protocol measures to fight the pandemic,” said Dr Subhash Mishra spokesperson of the state health department and Director (Epidemic Control).

    Health experts with a firm believe asserted that inspite of clinical trial continuing to prevent re-infections with new coronavirus variants, the people who received both the doses of the Covid vaccines presumably stand better protected against some of the worrying coronavirus forms. 

    Various districts including the state capital have reported a slow down of the vaccination process despite adequate availability of vaccines in various centres.

    Month
    COVID-19 Deaths
    July
    86
    August
    30
    September
    11
    October
    03

  • Bhupesh Baghel will continue to be Chhattisgarh CM: State home min amid leadership change speculation

    By PTI

    RAIPUR: Amid speculation about a possible change of guard in the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh, state Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu on Sunday said Bhupesh Baghel will continue to be the chief minister.

    Notably, Sahu was also one of the contenders for the CM’s post after Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh in December 2018.

    “We believe those who become chief minister, they continue to hold the post.

    According to circumstances, sometimes they are shifted in just two-four months while sometimes they last for 15-20 years.

    As of now Bhupesh Baghel is the chief minister and he will continue (on the post),” Sahu told reporters in Gaurella-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district when asked about the speculation regarding the change of guard.

    The speculation started doing rounds after Baghel completed two-and-a-half years as the chief minister in June 2021.

    Loyalists of Congress leader TS Singh Deo had claimed the party high-command had agreed in 2018 for a rotational chief ministership between Bhupesh Baghel and Singhdeo.

    Chhattisgarh Congress in-charge P L Punia had denied that any such deal was struck in 2018 when the party came to power by dislodging the BJP.

    The Congress leadership had summoned both Baghel and Singh Deo to Delhi in August to resolve the feud.

    It appeared that Baghel had won that round when he told reporters upon return that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had agreed to visit the state ‘on his invitation’, and those talking about rotating the CM’s post were promoting political instability.

    Singh Deo had said the decision regarding the leadership change lies with the party high command.

    Several Congress MLAs, considered close to Baghel, visited Delhi multiple times in the past two months apparently to express solidarity with the CM.