Tag: Sukma

  • Chhattisgarh: Three Jawans killed in clash with Maoists in Sukma

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: At least three security personnel were killed and two injured in an exchange of fire with the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the strife-torn Sukma district, about 500 km south of Raipur on Saturday.

    According to the information reaching the state capital, a team of Sukma district reserve guards (DRG) were out on a search operation following a tip-off. While the forces were on their way from Jagargunda to Kunded forested terrain, the rebels opened indiscriminate firing which was retaliated by the forces.

    According to the sources, the team of security forces was trapped in an ambush laid by the suspected Red brigades. Many cadres of the Maoist were also believed to have been injured in the gunfight.

    The deceased included ASI Ramuram Nag and two constables Kunjam Joga and Ganjam Bheema.

    Following the gun battle, the security forces have further intensified the search operation in the region.

    Sukma is among the seven Maoist-affected districts in the conflict zone of the south Bastar range. 

    RAIPUR: At least three security personnel were killed and two injured in an exchange of fire with the outlawed CPI (Maoist) in the strife-torn Sukma district, about 500 km south of Raipur on Saturday.

    According to the information reaching the state capital, a team of Sukma district reserve guards (DRG) were out on a search operation following a tip-off. While the forces were on their way from Jagargunda to Kunded forested terrain, the rebels opened indiscriminate firing which was retaliated by the forces.

    According to the sources, the team of security forces was trapped in an ambush laid by the suspected Red brigades. Many cadres of the Maoist were also believed to have been injured in the gunfight.

    The deceased included ASI Ramuram Nag and two constables Kunjam Joga and Ganjam Bheema.

    Following the gun battle, the security forces have further intensified the search operation in the region.

    Sukma is among the seven Maoist-affected districts in the conflict zone of the south Bastar range. 

  • 61 residents in Chhattisgarh village died of ‘unknown’ illness in couple of years, claim locals

    By PTI

    SUKMA: Residents of a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district have claimed that 61 people died there in nearly last three years due to some “unknown” illness, following which the authorities have swung into action to know what exactly caused these deaths.

    The residents of Regadgatta village, located in Konta development block, recently raised this issue with the district authorities, who said that the preliminary investigation of records shows that 47 people died due to various reasons, including ailments and natural causes.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, officials said, adding that on August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for an in-depth study of environmental causes.

    The population of the village is more than 1,000 with 130 families residing there.

    On July 27, the villagers handed over a letter to Sukma district collector, claiming that 61 people, including young men and women, who had symptoms of swelling on their hands and legs, have died there since 2020.

    The villagers requested the administration to send a team of doctors immediately to deal with the issue to prevent further deaths.

    After locals raised the issue, a team of healthcare personnel and other experts were sent there last week, Sukma collector Harish S told PTI.

    “Preliminary investigation suggests that 47 people died in that village in the last three years but all of them did not die due to the same reason as claimed by the locals,” he added.

    Some of the deceased had swelling on their bodies and it could be due to different reasons.

    READ HERE | High uranium in groundwater in Bihar leaves authorities worried, sample sent to Lucknow lab

    Preliminary reports of samples of water sources concluded that fluoride level was more than the limit in two water sources while in some sources, iron content was in excess, he said.

    “But as of now, we cannot say that the deaths were caused due to heavy metal content in water as consumption of water carrying high fluoride causes bone weakness and there are no such symptoms in the local population,” he said.

    Even high iron content causes complications but sudden deaths cannot happen due to it.

    There could be other environmental causes.

    Chronic alcoholic behaviour among the population could also be also a possibility (for kidney-related ailments), he added.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, he said.

    The collector said the team of health officials, which visited the village after the matter came to light, had conducted medical examinations on villagers during which 41 people were identified as having swelling in their body and suffering from kidney-related issues.

    The examination revealed uric acid and creatinine level were elevated as compared to normal parameters on them.

    They are being provided treatment and their condition was stable, he said.

    Of them, two highly anaemic patients were admitted to Sukma district hospital, he said.

    On August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for further study of environmental causes, he added.

    District’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Yashwant Dhruv said preliminary investigation shows 15 deaths took place in the village this year due to multiple reasons, including renal diseases, old-age related problems and malaria.

    How many of them died due to renal diseases cannot be confirmed as of now, he said.

    Out of 20 water sources examined, fluoride content was found to be high in two hand pumps following which it was shut for use while villagers have advised not use eight water sources for drinking purpose as iron content in it was excess then limit, he said.

    Some of the villagers have mild symptoms of chronic renal disease and further tests are underway, he added.

    An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) was recently appointed at a sub-health centre there, he said.

    SUKMA: Residents of a remote village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district have claimed that 61 people died there in nearly last three years due to some “unknown” illness, following which the authorities have swung into action to know what exactly caused these deaths.

    The residents of Regadgatta village, located in Konta development block, recently raised this issue with the district authorities, who said that the preliminary investigation of records shows that 47 people died due to various reasons, including ailments and natural causes.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, officials said, adding that on August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for an in-depth study of environmental causes.

    The population of the village is more than 1,000 with 130 families residing there.

    On July 27, the villagers handed over a letter to Sukma district collector, claiming that 61 people, including young men and women, who had symptoms of swelling on their hands and legs, have died there since 2020.

    The villagers requested the administration to send a team of doctors immediately to deal with the issue to prevent further deaths.

    After locals raised the issue, a team of healthcare personnel and other experts were sent there last week, Sukma collector Harish S told PTI.

    “Preliminary investigation suggests that 47 people died in that village in the last three years but all of them did not die due to the same reason as claimed by the locals,” he added.

    Some of the deceased had swelling on their bodies and it could be due to different reasons.

    READ HERE | High uranium in groundwater in Bihar leaves authorities worried, sample sent to Lucknow lab

    Preliminary reports of samples of water sources concluded that fluoride level was more than the limit in two water sources while in some sources, iron content was in excess, he said.

    “But as of now, we cannot say that the deaths were caused due to heavy metal content in water as consumption of water carrying high fluoride causes bone weakness and there are no such symptoms in the local population,” he said.

    Even high iron content causes complications but sudden deaths cannot happen due to it.

    There could be other environmental causes.

    Chronic alcoholic behaviour among the population could also be also a possibility (for kidney-related ailments), he added.

    A detailed report to identify heavy metal content like arsenic in water and soil there is awaited, he said.

    The collector said the team of health officials, which visited the village after the matter came to light, had conducted medical examinations on villagers during which 41 people were identified as having swelling in their body and suffering from kidney-related issues.

    The examination revealed uric acid and creatinine level were elevated as compared to normal parameters on them.

    They are being provided treatment and their condition was stable, he said.

    Of them, two highly anaemic patients were admitted to Sukma district hospital, he said.

    On August 8, a team of specialists will be sent to the village for further study of environmental causes, he added.

    District’s Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Yashwant Dhruv said preliminary investigation shows 15 deaths took place in the village this year due to multiple reasons, including renal diseases, old-age related problems and malaria.

    How many of them died due to renal diseases cannot be confirmed as of now, he said.

    Out of 20 water sources examined, fluoride content was found to be high in two hand pumps following which it was shut for use while villagers have advised not use eight water sources for drinking purpose as iron content in it was excess then limit, he said.

    Some of the villagers have mild symptoms of chronic renal disease and further tests are underway, he added.

    An ANM (auxiliary nurse midwife) was recently appointed at a sub-health centre there, he said.

  • Eight Maoists including six carrying rewards on their heads arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: As many as eight suspected hardcore Maoists, six of them carrying rewards on their heads, were taken into custody during the joint operation launched by the security forces in the forested terrain of Morepalli in the strife-torn Sukma district of south Chhattisgarh.

    The forces also recovered four improvised explosive devices (IEDs), detonators, batteries, some weapons, Maoist literature and items of daily use.

    “Acting on a tip-off about the movement of Naxalites in the region, a joint anti-Maoist operation was carried out by the Sukma police and the 201 battalion of CoBRA, an elite unit of the CRPF, in the remote forested areas. During the search operation, eight people were detained and following interrogation their identities were revealed. The state government has declared rewards against six of them,” said Sunil Sharma, Sukma district superintendent of police.

    After cross-verifying their identity, an FIR has been lodged and they would be produced before the local court, the SP added.

    Those arrested included Kawasi Raju, a Maoist battalion cadre, and Kamlu Mada, a militia company commander, who carried rewards of Rs 8 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectively besides four other cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation, each carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on their heads.

    “The disclosures by the eight who were arrested led to the recovery of IEDs planted in remote inhospitable terrain. Such major joint campaigns will continue further and the security forces will ensure with their efforts to get rid of the areas cited as the rebels’ stronghold,” said Yogyan Singh, DIG CRPF (Sukma range).

    Sukma is among the worst Maoist-affected districts in the country.

  • Two Maoists gunned down in encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: Two cadres of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) were gunned down in an exchange of fire with the security forces at Gompad forested terrain in Sukma district on Tuesday morning.

    “A joint team of the CRPF, CoBRA battalion and district reserve guards was carrying out the area domination operation along the Gompad-Kanhaiguda area where the rebels opened fire. The attack was retaliated by the troopers who ave recovered two bodies along with arms and ammunition. The search operation in the region has been further intensified,” Sukma superintendent of police Sunil Sharma said. 

    None of the security personnel were injured in the incident. 

    “The forces are yet to return to the base camp. The bodies will be identified once they are back. We suspect there could be a few rebels who suffered injuries in the encounter,” the SP added. 

    Sukma is among the seven worst Maoist-affected districts in the conflict zone of Bastar in south Chhattisgarh.

  • Rakhi threads symbolise trust over violence in strife-torn Dantewada, Sukma

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR: The strife-torn region of Dantewada district on the auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan came alive on Sunday with several surrendered Maoists getting rakhis tied on their wrists. Many of them carried a cash reward on their heads. 

    Sisters were seen tying the sacred thread on their brother’s wrist praying for their long blissful life as they took a pledge on assurance of protection.

    In another insurgncy-hit district of Sukma, many tribal girls and women at Erranore were seen tying the rakhis on a statue created in the memory of local security personnel who killed while fighting the Maoists. Some local tribals have the practise of erecting a memorial of their dear ones who are no more. 

    Over a hundred Maoists who had surrendered during the past one year under the campaign ‘Lon Varratu’ (in local tribal Gondi dialect meaning return to your home/village intended for the Maoist cadres) called themselves blessed to celebrate Rakshabandhan. Ever since the Dantewada Police launched the drive in July 2020, as many as 408 cadres have surrendered. 

    “Around 80 surrendered rebels celebrated rakhi for the first time. There are around 20 naxals, who couldn’t return to their remotely located villages owing to perceived threat to their lives or their relatives, celebrated the festival in the district headquarters. There are over 650 naxals who also have their rights despite lodged in district jail to get opportunity to be part of celebration with the relatives within the prison premises,” said Abhishek Pallava, Dantewada superintendent of police.

    The sisters and relatives were called by the district police to observe the occasion reverent with enthusiasm on being with brothers who are the surrendered Maoists.

    “It was a delightful sentiment which we had not experienced before owing to obvious reasons. The feelings of love and safety from brothers were astounding,” said Laxmi Punem after tying the sacred thread on wrist of Suresh Kadti who carried the reward of 5 lakh

    “We never realised the significance of Raksha Bandhan while earlier associated with the banned outfit,” revealed Durgesh Sori and Lakhan Gangu, former commanders in the Maoist organisation.

  • Naxal killed in DRG-CRPF operation in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma 

    By PTI
    SUKMA: A Naxal was killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Sunday, a police official said.

    The gunfight took place in the wee hours at a forest near Minpa village under Chintagufa police station limits, located about 400 km the state capital Raipur, when a joint team of security forces was out on a search operation, Sukma Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma told PTI.

    Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation that was launched based on the movement of ultras in the area, considered as a Maoist stronghold.

    The exchange of fire lasted for about one-and-a-half hours following which the rebels escaped into the forest, the official said.

    Later, the body of a male Naxal was recovered from the spot, he said.

    The official said blood stains found at the site indicate that many other Naxals were either injured or killed in the face-off, but their colleagues managed to take them inside the forest.

    Search operation was still underway in the area, he added.

  • Maoists release all seven villagers abducted in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma 

    By PTI
    RAIPUR: Seven people, who were allegedly abducted by Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district a few days back, have been released and they have safely returned to their village, police said on Wednesday.

    Before releasing them, the rebels warned the villagers “not to support police or development works” in the area, the police said.

    “These people reached their village Kunded under Jagargunda police station limits on Tuesday night and all of them are safe,” Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI.

    On July 18, Maoists had forcefully taken the seven people along with them towards Puvarti village, the native place of dreaded Maoist commander Hidma, and allegedly kept them in captivity, he said.

    When they did not return, a group of villagers from the area went into the forest in search of them.

    After being alerted, the police swung into action and launched a search for these people, the official said.

    Meanwhile, local representatives of tribal communities were also contacted and they issued an appeal in the media, asking the ultras to release the abducted villagers, he said.

    “With the growing pressure from police and appeals made by local tribal leaders, Naxals had to set them free,” the official said.

    The police will record statements of the abducted villagers, he added.

  • Chhattisgarh: Maoists abduct seven youths for allegedly appearing in police recruitment drive

    By Express News Service
    RAIPUR: The outlawed CPI (Maoist) has allegedly abducted seven local youths from Kunded at Jagargunda in Sukma district, about 500 km south of Raipur.

    According to the reports, the rebels, suspecting that the youths had appeared for the police recruitment test, took them away at some unknown location.

    Four elderly residents who had gone from Jagargunda to negotiate with the Maoists are yet to return.

    “Few villagers from Kunded village had gone to attend some social gathering (perhaps marriage ceremony) couple of days ago. They are yet to return to their homes. We are trying to ascertain the veracity of the information about them being taken captive by the Maoists,” Sunderraj P, Bastar zone inspector general of police told The New Indian Express.

    The Bastar police are gathering details about the whereabouts of the missing youths.

    Sukma is among the seven Maoist affected districts in the conflict zone of Bastar.

  • Chhattisgarh: Maoists ‘abduct’ 7 youths for ‘appearing in police recruitment drive’

    By Express News Service
    RAIPUR: The outlawed CPI (Maoist) has allegedly abducted seven local youths from Kunded at Jagargunda in Sukma district, about 500 km south of Raipur.

    According to the reports, the rebels, suspecting that the youths had appeared for the police recruitment test, took them away at some unknown location.

    Four elderly residents who had gone from Jagargunda to negotiate with the Maoists are yet to return.

    “Few villagers from Kunded village had gone to attend some social gathering (perhaps marriage ceremony) couple of days ago. They are yet to return to their homes. We are trying to ascertain the veracity of the information about them being taken captive by the Maoists,” Sunderraj P, Bastar zone inspector general of police told The New Indian Express.

    The Bastar police are gathering details about the whereabouts of the missing youths.

    Sukma is among the seven Maoist affected districts in the conflict zone of Bastar.

  • Sukma SP orders surveillance of Christian missionaries’ activities in tribal areas

    Express News Service
    RAIPUR: In an official circular that may possibly ignite controversy, the Sukma SP has instructed his subordinates and officers in charge of all the police stations in the district to maintain strict surveillance over the activities of the Christian missionaries and the converted tribals.

    “The Christian missionaries and the tribal Christians are routinely venturing in internal areas of the district and persuading the non-Christian tribals to get converted by enticing and offering them allurement. Owing to this, the situation resulting into a conflict between the local tribals and those converted (to Christianity) can’t be ruled out”, said the official letter issued by Sukma SP Sunil Sharma.

    The SP issued a directive to the district police to keep the intelligence network on alert. “Maintain a consistent watch over the activities of Christian missionaries and converted tribals residing in the district and report if any of their acts perceived as suspicious”, stated the circular.

    The Sukma SP admitted to The New Indian Express of having sent out the letter to the district police officers.

    “The circular is more as preventive in nature rather than prohibitory. Keeping in view some nearby districts where conflicts were reported owing to religious conversions, I intended such a situation shouldn’t arise in Sukma and the social harmony prevails. The police have been asked to gather its own information through their network on religious conversion activities by enticement”, said Sharma and added that all have the right to follow their faiths.

    However, the Christian community felt offended by the internal official communication.

    “This is totally pre-meditated. The district officials are supposed to protect the Constitutional rights of citizens and not trample them. How could the IPS officer conclude that Christian missionaries are involved in religious conversion without any investigation? Every Indian has the right to move to any place and practise his/her faith. The officer should say if he has the figures on how many tribals been lured to convert, what temptations given, and if any case registered during the past two decades in that area? This is an attempt to create animosity against our religion”, asserted Arun Pannalal, president of Chhattisgarh Christian Forum.

    The Christians alleged that the people of their community are repeatedly harassed in the tribal-dominated Bastar.