IN a tragic turn of events, suspected Naxalites struck again in the insurgency-hit Narayanpur district, claiming the life of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker late Tuesday night. The victim, identified as Panchamdas Manikpuri, Deputy Sarpanch of village Panchayat Dandvan, fell prey to assailants wielding sharp weapons in a brutal attack that has sent shockwaves through the region, just days ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha General Elections in Bastar. According to police sources, the assailants stormed into Manikpuri’s residence under the limits of Pharasgaon police station, abducted him, and subsequently murdered him in a deserted area nearby. The assailants, believed to be Naxalites, swiftly fled the scene, leaving behind local residents engulfed in fear and sorrow.

 

Allegations against Manikpuri surfaced posthumously, as banners and pamphlets purportedly from the Naxalites accused him of “anti-people” activities, corruption, and collaboration with police. Moreover, threats against other political figures, including Congress leader Amit Bhadra and Sarpanch Bissel Nag, were ominously issued in the same propaganda materials (pamphlets and banners). Narayanpur SP Prabhat Kumar disclosed that a joint effort involving police forces and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) has been launched to track down the perpetrators, who remain at large.