The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed a Police Constable – Sannu Punem, after abducting him from Pondum village under Bhairmgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on March 20, reports The Pioneer. He was abducted on March 20 evening and his slain body was found on March 21 morning near a rivulet close to nearby Keshkutul village. Punem, who was posted at the Gangaloor Police Station in the District, was on leave and had gone to Pondum village. “Prima facie, it seems he was killed with sharp-edged weapons”, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sundarraj P. said adding that a search operation has been launched in the area to trace the Maoists.
The Print on March 21 reports that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Bhupesh Baghel acknowledged the Maoists’ offer for peace talks with the government, but with a condition that they should abandon the path of violence before peace talks can be held. “The Naxalites (Left Wing Extremists, LWEs) cannot impose their conditions on us. First of all, they will have to leave the path of violence and armed struggle; only then is it possible to have any sort of talks with them,” Baghel told The Print in an interview. “The state government is not shying away from holding negotiations with the Naxalites, but the negotiations can only be held within the framework of the Constitution of the country and according to our government’s policy,” the CM continued. “They will have to first give up arms and swear allegiance to the Constitution of India, only then can any sort of peace talks be held. There can be no dialogue with conditions from the Naxalites,” he added.