The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres set ablaze three trucks and an excavator near an Essar plant in Kirandul Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh on May 14, reports The Pioneer. The trucks and excavator were engaged in collecting dust waste from Essar’s iron ore beneficiation plant in Kirandul, Superintendent of Police (SP), Abhishek Pallava said. Around 50 Maoists reached to the spot, and set ablaze three Hyva trucks and a JCB machine engaged in collecting waste dust of beneficiation plant, he said. Before leaving the spot, Maoists also threatened drivers and helpers to stop the work, Pallava said, adding that the vehicles and machine were of a private contractor. As per preliminary information, Malangir Area Committee of the Maoists was involved in the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, a female Maoist, who was allegedly involved in different deadly attacks that claimed lives of nine Security Force (SF) personnel, was arrested following an encounter at a forested patch near Alparas village in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh on May 14, reports The Pioneer. State Government had declared a reward of INR 800,000 on her head, SP, KL Dhruv informed. “A team of Special Task Force (STF) personnel had launched an anti-Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] operation in the jungles of Koyalibeda police station, about 200 km south of state capital Raipur,” the SP said. The arrested Maoist was identified as Fulobai alias Mahri Netam (28), ‘deputy commander’ of Section B, Platoon 2 of Maoist Military company number 5, and resident of Kurushnar in Narayanpur District of the State.
Separately, retired Supreme Court Judge Justice A. K. Patnaik chaired a committee formed to review the cases registered against Scheduled Tribe (ST) people of Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, reports The Pioneer on May 14. The committee reviewed the cases registered against the ST residents of seven Naxal affected Districts of Bastar Range and Rajnandgaon District. Based on the merits and demerits of each case, it would be reviewed in time-bound manner protecting the rights of STs as per the decision taken. Apart from the Naxal-related cases, other cases too will be reviewed. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP), Sundarraj P will review the cases registered under different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The cases registered under local Special Act will be dealt by DIG Sanjeev Shukla, while secretary-Commissioner, Excise department will take action on the Excise Act related cases. The secretary, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe department will coordinate for necessary action, as per the decision.