The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has warned lower rung policemen working in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh to leave their jobs or “get killed at the hands of PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army) guerrillas.”
In a press statement issued by Madhavi, secretary of the West Bastar Divisional Committee of the Maoists, the banned outfit took responsibility for the killing of constable Bira Basant, who was abducted on April 7 and found dead two weeks later in Bijapur district.
The abduction of unarmed Bira, travelling to his village to meet his family, led to a “silent protest” by local residents and traders in Bijapur. Schoolchildren had organised protest rallies to seek his release.
Blaming the State government and the Bijapur police for the death of Bira, the Maoist leader claimed that the district police did not initiate a dialogue for his release.
“Instead, the police pressured locals and schoolchildren to organise protest rallies against us. Our party’s policy does not allow us to kill unarmed policemen. We have freed many jawans, who did not carry weapons. However, we cannot spare those who knowingly take part in inflicting atrocities on the people. Bira was one such policeman,” said Madhavi.
“He was working against the people’s movement for more than 10 years and led many fake encounters and village raids on the tribal people of Bijapur. He was also extorting money from them,” she added.
The Maoist leader also refuted the police claim that Bira was going to his village Madded to visit his family.
“He was on the way back to the Bijapur SP office after collecting intelligence against us from Awapalli area. He knew what he was doing and it was impossible for us to spare such an ‘enemy’ of the people,” claimed Madhavi.
“Bira’s killing should serve as a warning to all local and lower rung policemen working in Bastar. Stop fighting for corporates who are here to snatch tribal land. Take up any other job other than policing if you want to stay in Bastar. Otherwise be ready to die at the hands of the PLGA,” warned the Maoist leader.
