In a shocking incident, BJP leader Neelkanth Kakem was brutally killed by Maoists in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday night. The killer took the 46-year-old Kakem, a former sarpanch, out of his home in Paikram village.
He was found later hacked to death in the adjoining forest. In 10 days, this is the third targeted killing of BJP leaders in the state.
Background and Motive
According to police in Bijapur, the Maoists leveled accusations against Kakem that he was a police informant, a claim that was frequently made by the insurgent group to justify attacks on civilians and public figures.
Maoist posters left near the scene of crime repeated such accusations. The killing took place in a remote area of Bijapur, known to be a stronghold of the Maoists.
Escalating Violence in Chhattisgarh
The killing came amid worrisome news that Maoist violence in the region was escalating. Recently, two other BJP leaders were also killed in a similar way in Chhattisgarh.
On November 30, another BJP leader, Madvi Samru, was killed in Sukma district under similar circumstances. Just days prior, Anil Maurya was attacked and murdered in Dantewada district.
In response to this brutal wave of murders, the Chhattisgarh government has called on the National Investigation Agency to investigate the murders.
The CM condemned the killings and assured that corrective measures will be escalated across the affected areas, especially to rein in on the Maoist threat.
Family and Community Reactions
The unnatural death has devastated Neelkanth Kakem’s family. His wife reportedly said the Maoists entered their house in a forceful manner and took away her husband despite the protests by the family.
Local BJP leaders and villagers have expressed anger and fears regarding security measures for political representatives and common civilians.
Security Forces on Alert
Immediately after the attack, police and paramilitary troops moved into action, searching the Bijapur and neighbouring districts for clues to track down the attackers.
In this connection, authorities reiterated the need to combat Maoist violence and ensure adequate security for public representatives. The incident has also reignited an old debate concerning the efficacy of counter-insurgency operations in the region.
BJP’s Response
The BJP has condemned the incident and stated that the state government has failed to provide adequate security for its leaders. Senior party leaders demanded speedy action against those responsible and an increase in the safety of political representatives in Maoist-infested regions.
The gruesome death of Neelkanth Kakem reflects the transcending problems faced by Maoists insurgency in central India.
Repeated attacks on political figures as Chhattisgarh gets ready for elections demand proper security reforms and more coordination among law enforcement units.
