Alarm in Raipur as Maoists reach diamond belt
Maoists have begun extending their activities into Chhatisgarh's diamond-rich belt with the murder of a former village panchayat sarpanch at Amagaon in Raipur district, about 100 km from the state capital, on Saturday.
In the last six months, numerous villagers in Chhattisgrah have alerted the police about Naxalite presence in the forests of Gariaband, Mainpur and Churra blocks, including areas where kimberlite pipes - the most important source of mined diamonds - are located. Intelligence inputs have said CPI (Maoist) cadres are using this region as a safe haven because of the pressure mounting on them in South Bastar.
Raipur Inspector General of Police Y K S Thakur told The Indian Express that, in the last six months, there has been Naxalite movement in areas close to diamond deposits. "The security apparatus has been beefed up and vigil is being maintained in the area," he added.
The first incident of Naxalite violence in Gariaband - in which the rebels killed former sarpanch Niram Singh Dhruv - has raised concerns as the state Government has already started prospecting and mining of diamonds in seven districts, including Gariaband block in Raipur district.
"Naxalite incidents close to diamond deposit areas could slow down the process," an official of the state Mining Department said. "At least half a dozen companies are involved at an advanced stage of diamond prospecting in seven districts and the target is to start commercial production in next four or five years," he said, adding that diamond prospecting is being carried out in Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg, Dhamtari, Kanker, Jashpur and Rajnandgaon districts.
A group of 35 Naxalites stormed into 55-year-old Dhruv's house late on Saturday night. They locked his family members in a room and dragged him out of the house, accusing him of being a police informer. The rebels thrashed him with lathis, tied him to an electric pole and shot him dead. They also left pamphlets announcing "death penalty" to Dhruv and his son-in-law Dinesh Dhruv, who has not been seen after the incident.
In the last six months, numerous villagers in Chhattisgrah have alerted the police about Naxalite presence in the forests of Gariaband, Mainpur and Churra blocks, including areas where kimberlite pipes - the most important source of mined diamonds - are located. Intelligence inputs have said CPI (Maoist) cadres are using this region as a safe haven because of the pressure mounting on them in South Bastar.
Raipur Inspector General of Police Y K S Thakur told The Indian Express that, in the last six months, there has been Naxalite movement in areas close to diamond deposits. "The security apparatus has been beefed up and vigil is being maintained in the area," he added.
The first incident of Naxalite violence in Gariaband - in which the rebels killed former sarpanch Niram Singh Dhruv - has raised concerns as the state Government has already started prospecting and mining of diamonds in seven districts, including Gariaband block in Raipur district.
"Naxalite incidents close to diamond deposit areas could slow down the process," an official of the state Mining Department said. "At least half a dozen companies are involved at an advanced stage of diamond prospecting in seven districts and the target is to start commercial production in next four or five years," he said, adding that diamond prospecting is being carried out in Raipur, Mahasamund, Durg, Dhamtari, Kanker, Jashpur and Rajnandgaon districts.
A group of 35 Naxalites stormed into 55-year-old Dhruv's house late on Saturday night. They locked his family members in a room and dragged him out of the house, accusing him of being a police informer. The rebels thrashed him with lathis, tied him to an electric pole and shot him dead. They also left pamphlets announcing "death penalty" to Dhruv and his son-in-law Dinesh Dhruv, who has not been seen after the incident.
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