Doordarshan Cameraman Achyuta Nanda Sahu's passes for various events that he had covered, hang at his residence in New Delhi, Tuesday, Oct 30, 1018. | Photo Credit:
PTI
Two maoists are believed to be killed in the gunfight between the police and Maoists.
Two policemen and a Doordarshan cameraperson lost their lives and two maoists are believed to be gunned down in a gunfight between the police and Maoists in poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Tuesday morning.
The police team was ambushed in a forest area near village, around 450 km from capital, police said.
The incident took place when the local police were carrying out patrolling on motorcycles from camp towards village, Deputy Inspector General (anti-maoists operations) told
PTI.
A three-member team of Doordarshan engaged in election-related news coverage was caught in the crossfire, he said.
The deceased are Sub-Inspector Rudra Pratap Singh, Assistant Constable Mangalu and DD News cameraman Achyutanand Sahu, Deputy Inspector General (anti-maoists operations) said.
DD News cameraman Achyutanand Sahu had come from New Delhi for work. The other two members of the DD team, including a journalist, were safe, the officer said.
Constable Vishnu Netam and Assistant Constable Rakesh Kaushal, who sustained injuries in the gun battle were admitted to the district hospital. If required, they would be airlifted to state capital for further treatment, Deputy Inspector General (anti-maoists operations) added.
DM Awashti, Special Director General (anti-Maoist operations), said the exchange of fire between the Maoists and police went on for about an hour. The maoists then retreated into a village, while the police chased them.
The police saw two people being dragged away by the Maoists, which indicated that they were killed in the retaliatory action.
After the gun battle, the police recovered 8 to 10 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and defused them, DM Awashti, Special Director General (anti-Maoist operations) said.
'Attack not related to elections'
The attack was not linked to the coming Assembly elections but was aimed at discouraging men and contractors working on a road construction project, DM Awashti, Special Director General (anti-Maoist operations) said. “I would like to clarify once again that these two incidents - one which took place this morning and another which took place three days back - do not have any direct or indirect connection with the ensuing elections in the State.”
DM Awashti, Special Director General (anti-Maoist operations) said road construction work was on at several places across the maoists-affected areas over the last three years.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, condemning the attack,said insurgents won’t be able to weaken the Indian Establishment resolve.
“Strongly condemn the maoists attack on @DDNewsLive crew . Deeply saddened by the demise of our cameraman Achyuta Nanda Sahu and two jawans of @crpfindia. These insurgents will NOT weaken our resolve. We WILL prevail,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore tweeted.
Teams of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Special Task Force (STF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were immediately rushed to the forest to trace the ultras, the Deputy Inspector General (anti-maoists operations) said.
Four CRPF personnel killed in attack on October 27
On October 27,
four CRPF personnel were killed and two others were injured when Maoists blew up their bullet-proof bunker vehicle in AFSPA area of district.
The next day, a BJP leader and member of Zila Panchayat was seriously injured after ultras attacked him with sharp-edged weapons at his village .
The State is going to the polls next month and maoists have asked voters to boycott the exercise.
The first phase of polls, covering 18 constituencies of eight maoists-affected districts will be held on November 12.
The remaining 72 constituencies will witness polling on November 20.
Counting of votes will take place on December 11.
