Naxals abduct, kill cop in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: THE COP, POSTED AT KOTWALI POLICE STATION, WAS FORCIBLY TAKEN AWAY BY

ULTRAS WHEN HE WAS RETURNING TO BIJAPUR FROM FARSEGARH

A police constable was allegedly abducted and killed by Naxals in Maoist-hit Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Sunday.

“Assistant constable Sitaram Bagde, abducted last night, was found dead near Kachlaram village under Farsegarh police station limits this morning,” DIG (south Bastar range) Sundarraj P said.

Bagde, posted at Kotwali police station, was forcibly taken away by ultras when he was returning to Bijapur from his sister’s place in Farsegarh.

Naxals had set ablaze a passenger bus near Kachlaram between Farsegarh and Toynar on Saturday evening after asking its occupants to get down, the officer said. Subsequently, they stopped some passersby, including Bagde, who was on his motorcycle, at the spot.

“When Naxals discovered his identity, they took him to forest along with them,” he said.

Bagde’s body with his throat slit was spotted by some locals this morning, the DIG said.

“On receipt of information, security forces were rushed to the spot to retrieve the victim’s body which was lying in a pool of blood,” he said, adding further details are awaited. Police said Naxals have called a day-long bandh call on February 5 and the incident may by the part of their plan to instil fear.