Bastar, 19 April (H.S): The run-up to the Lok Sabha Elections in India has been marred by violence, especially in the Bastar constituency in Chhattisgarh. Maoists, who have a strong presence in the area, have targeted BJP workers, resulting in at least nine deaths. The latest attack occurred on April 16, just 48 hours before the constituency was set to go to polls.

Panchamdas Manikpuri, a deputy sarpanch of BJP, was brutally killed in front of his family by Maoists who accused him of being a police informer. This attack is said to be in retaliation for the Kanker operation, where 29 Maoist members were killed, including a top leader. This is not the first time BJP workers have been targeted in the region, as similar attacks have taken place since early 2023. The situation has only worsened as the elections draw near, with a former sarpanch and another BJP worker being killed in June and October respectively. With the recent swearing-in of a BJP government in Chhattisgarh, it remains to be seen how the issue of Maoist violence in Bastar will be addressed.

Hindusthan Samachar/ Indrani Sarkar