Chhattisgarh: Naxals set ablaze vehicles, road-construction machines; contractor feared killed
Naxals on Monday set on fire four vehicles and machines engaged in road construction work in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Bastar range) P Sundarraj. The contractor was feared to have been abducted and killed, he said. The incident took place between Tumnar and Koitpal villages, where construction work was ongoing under the PM Gram Sadak Yojna. Here's more.
A group of Naxals attacked the construction site
The preliminary investigation revealed a group of armed Naxals stormed the construction site, located around 7km from Bijapur and about 450km from Raipur. The Naxals also threatened the laborers to stop the work. The ultras then set ablaze four vehicles and machines before fleeing the spot, Sundarraj said. Naxals also kidnapped and killed the contractor, but it was yet to be confirmed, he added.
Naxal's frequent attempts to disrupt road construction work
On 14 March, Naxals had burnt seven vehicles and machines engaged in road construction between Bijapur and Gangaloor. On 13 March, nine personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in an IED blast, when Maoists blew up their mine-protected vehicle in Sukma. On 18 February, the rebels had set fire to several vehicles involved in road construction between Bhejji and Elarmadgu.
