Naxals attack media in poll-bound Chhattisgarh; Doordarshan cameraman among those killed

Raipur: Naxals in Chhattisgarh have shown that they would not hesitate to kill journalists to scuttle the election process in the state. A cameraman working for national broadcaster Doordarshan was killed by the ultras in insurgency-hit Dantewada district on Tuesday. Two District Reserve Group (DRG) personnel were also killed in the ambush attack that took place in the Nilawai forest.
 
According to the police, a media team, accompanied by the DRG personnel, was heading towards a polling station in Nilawai, built for the first phase of the Assembly elections in the state slated for November 12. 

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When the team reached Nilawai forest, which falls under the Aranpur police station, cadres of the banned outfit who were lying in wait launched an ambush. Two security personnel were injured in the attack. 

The security personnel killed in the attack were identified as Sub Inspector Rudra Pratap and Assistant Constable Manglu, while the slain Doordarshan cameraman was Achita Nand Sahu from New Delhi, according to police sources.

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Image: Doordarshan cameraman Achita Nand Sahu who was killed in the attack 

The security men injured in the ambush were Constable Vishnu Netam and Assistant Constable Rakesh Kaushal. The injured were rushed to the district hospital, police sources added.

Image: One of the security men injured in the attack

After being informed about the ambush, reinforcement was rushed to the spot, said a senior police officer.

This was the second attack executed by naxals ahead of the elections in Chhattisgarh.

In September, 35 villagers were allegedly thrashed by naxals for refusing to attend a meeting called by them in Dantewada.

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