Raipur: Amidst attempts by Chhattisgarh’s opposition BJP to label as a “conspiracy by the ruling party” the serial murders of three saffron-camp workers in Left-wing extremism-affected Bastar division, state DGP Ashok Juneja dashed off a communication on Thursday – to his NIA counterpart – seeking a probe by the federal inquiry agency.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has already made it abundantly clear that – though the state law-enforcement authorities are already probing the matter – he is open to investigation by “any agency” into the homicides in the poll-bound state.
In his words, “While in the chief ministerial saddle, Dr Raman Singh preached that politics ought not to be played over Naxal incidents but his viewpoint appears to have transformed while in the Opposition. During the 2019 general election, Dantewada MLA Bhima Mandavi was murdered by the rebels. The Centre promptly handed over the case to the NIA. However, the progress remains shrouded in mystery.”
Earlier in the day, the BJP staged a sit in before the IG’s office in Jagdalpur, which is the divisional headquarters of Bastar. Three-hour road blockades are on the cards on Friday across as many as 78 of the state’s 90 Assembly constituencies, barring the dozen in Bastar.
The killings echoed in the Lok Sabha as well where the matter was raised by BJP state head Arun Sao who represents Bilaspur.
Meanwhile, BJP Vice President Singh alleged – during an interaction with media representatives here – that security cover is being withdrawn from the BJP’s erstwhile parliamentarians and legislators.
