Chhattisgarh: CPI-Maoists abduct surrendered Naxal leader’s family members, villagers

Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist on Wednesday have abducted 10 villagers including family members of a Naxal leader who surrendered with the police recently in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.

One of the woman abducted by the CPI-Maoist is sarpanch and wife of the surrendered Naxal leader Podiyam Panda, who was involved in killing of 76 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in Dantewada district in 2010.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sukma Jitendra Shukla said, “Armed cadres of CPI-Maoists have abducted the villagers from Chintagufa village on September 16 night.”

The abducted have been identified as Chintagufa Sarpanch Podiyam Muye, her son Kosa, brother-in-law Komal and at least 10 villagers who have been abducted, he added.

The ASP added that in their initial investigations they have learnt that Maoist leaders Ramanna and Hidma were involved in the abduction of the villagers from Chintagufa.

Also read: Chhattisgarh: 11 Naxals surrender in Sukma district

According to sources in the police department the Maoist ranks decided to abduct the former Maoist leader after he helped the district administration in holding public grievances meetings inside Sukma’s hinterland areas.

Also read: 8 Maoist rebels arrested from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region

However, Maoists leaders claim that security police arrested Panda and showed him has a surrendered Naxal. Panda was allegedly involved in the attack on CRPF patrolling party on April 24 in Chintagufa area in which 25 security personnel were killed.