The Maoists left behind a letter alleging Alami was a police informer and was involved in the Bodhghat dam project, said the police.
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Another BJP functionary was killed by alleged Maoists in Chhattisgarh, the third such incident in less than a week, triggering a political war of words between the ruling Congress and Opposition BJP.
Calling the killings “unfortunate”, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Monday, “It is true that some BJP leaders have been murdered and it’s extremely unfortunate. Naxals are targeting individuals, barging into houses to kill people… this also proves that their power has weakened and they are showing their frustration.”
Police said Ramdhar Alami, 43, a former sarpanch, was hacked to death by Maoists at Barsoor in Dantewada district on Saturday while he was on his way home to Hitameta village.
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The Maoists allegedly left behind a note accusing the victim of being a police informer and promoting the proposed Bodhghat dam project.
“Alami was with the BJP for the last 15 years. He was vice-president of Barsur division in 2018,” said Chaitram Atami, BJP district president of Dantewada.
On February 5, Neelkanth Kakem, 48, BJP’s divisional head of Awapalli in Bijapur district, was killed when three alleged Maoists stabbed with sharp weapons in Bijapur district. On February 10, Sagar Sahu, 47, deputy chief of the BJP’s Narayanpur district unit, was shot dead at his home by two suspected Maoists.
The killings have led the BJP to accuse the Congress government of “a political conspiracy”. While the BJP has been claiming that four of its functionaries have been killed over the last week, police say the fourth victim – Budhram Kartam, BJP secretary in Jagdalpur – died in a hit-and-run case.
Chhattisgarh BJP president Arun that they are in the process of drawing up a list of all BJP leaders whose security has either been withdrawn or reduced. “The security of our workers is being compromised. We keep telling police we are getting threats but nothing happens. All our four people who were targeted were actively carrying out BJP activities ahead of the elections. The killings are meant to silence all BJP workers. There is a lot of anger towards the Congress who are slipping. The party is running scared because of all the work we are doing in Bastar region,” Sao said.
Earlier in the day, speaking about the security measures being taken in the wake of the three murders, CM Baghel said, “I have instructed the DGP to hold a meeting with all police superintendents posted in Naxal-affected districts and instruct them to ensure adequate security measures. Further, all superintendents will hold meetings with representatives of political parties in their district to review their security. Also, political leaders must inform the police before going anywhere and security will be provided to them.”
When asked if the security cover of BJP leaders had been taken away, Baghel said, “(Former BJP MLAs) Kedar Kashyap and Mahesh Gagda lost the elections but they have Z-plus security. (Former CM) Raman Singh does not even go to Naxal-affected areas but he has more security than the Chief Minister.”
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A senior police official from Chhattisgarh, however, said, “It’s very unfortunate that BJP leaders were murdered but at this stage, it could be a coincidence. In the Jagdalpur case, the BJP leader died in a road accident and the accused has been arrested. In the latest Dantewada incident, though the deceased was affiliated with the BJP, of late, he had been carrying out religious rituals for tribals.”
When asked if the sudden spate of killings signalled a rise in Maoist activities, Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, said, “It’s typical of them to target political functionaries and other soft targets whenever they (Maoists) are on the backfoot. It’s a sign that they are getting weak. The security given to all the proctectees is in place and no one’s security has been decreased or withdrawn.”
