In a disturbing development in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a BJP worker identified as Satyam Punem was found dead on Monday night, suspected to have been strangled by Naxalites. The incident took place in the Mujalkanker area, which falls under the Ilmidi police station. Law enforcement officials believe the motive was Punem’s alleged collaboration with the police as an informant. An official investigation is underway, with a police team already at the scene.
A significant piece of evidence at the crime scene was a handwritten pamphlet attributed to the Maoist Madded area committee. This document claims that Punem was killed for continuing to act as a police informer, despite receiving multiple warnings. Sources within the police department indicate that the pamphlet stated Punem had been warned on three occasions prior to his death.
This tragic event adds to the mounting death toll from Naxalite-related violence in the Bastar division. This year, the seven districts comprising the division, including Bijapur, have seen close to 40 individuals succumb to Maoist-related conflicts. This ongoing insurgency poses a grave threat to peace and security in the region.
The targeted killings of political figures have become a recurring issue in Chhattisgarh. The Bastar division has experienced numerous attacks, with 11 BJP leaders and workers losing their lives between January 2023 and December 2024. These attacks, often carried out by heavily armed cadres, underscore the persistent danger faced by those involved in political activities in these Naxal-affected zones. The government’s response to providing adequate security continues to be scrutinized.