BJP MLA Killed in Dantewada Maoist Attack; PM Modi & Rahul Mourn

Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma

BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel were killed on Tuesday, 9 April, when their convoy was attacked by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, days before the first-phase polling in the state.

The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the MLA’s convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area.

The Maoists blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire. The IED blast left a big crater in the middle of the road.

“Firing continued for around half-an-hour. Cars following were also attacked. They fought for quite some time. Because the blast was so intense, the car blew up into pieces and everyone was killed on the spot. The reinforcement reached on time but because the IED was so intense, it wasn’t possible to save anyone.”

Abhishek Pallav, SP, Dantewada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday "strongly" condemned the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, saying the sacrifice of those killed will not go in vain.

Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019

Shri Bhima Mandavi was a dedicated Karyakarta of the BJP. Diligent and courageous, he assiduously served the people of Chhattisgarh. His demise is deeply anguishing. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019

BJP President Amit Shah called it an “act of cowardice”.

Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and five others in a naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada.
Such act of cowardice can not deter BJP from its commitment to fight naxalism.
My deepest condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.

— Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 9, 2019

Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and BJP leader Raman Singh attacked the state Congress government and said their failures have started showing. He also said that he would demand an investigation into the incident.

“There are others who were campaigning for elections, nobody was hurt. But Bhima Mandavi was targeted because he was the only BJP leader (in Dantewada region). I will demand an investigation into this. I’m in contact with central ministers, I spoke to the prime minister an hour ago. I’ll go to Dantewada and meet families of the deceased. We are seeing the difference between Congress’ actions and words.”

Raman Singh, Former Chhattisgarh CM

Congress President Rahul Gandhi condemned the attack terming it a "very tragic" incident.

दंतेवाड़ा छत्तीसगढ़ का नक्सली हमला बहुत दुखद हैं। मै ईश्वर से मृतकों की आत्मा की शांति और परिवार जन को शक्ति और हिम्मत देने की प्रार्थना करता हूं।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 9, 2019

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel also expressed his condolences and mourned the death of the BJP MLA.

हमारे विधायक साथी भीमा मंडावी और चार जवान नक्सली हमले का शिकार हुए हैं।

झीरम हमले के बाद संसदीय लोकतंत्र पर यह एक और बड़ा और अत्यंत निंदनीय हमला है।

मैं बेहद विचलित हूं, स्तब्ध हूं। दुःख व्यक्त करने के लिए मेरे पास शब्द नहीं हैं।

शहीदों को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) April 9, 2019

हम एक बार फिर दृढ़ता के साथ संसदीय लोकतंत्र को मजबूत करने की अपनी लड़ाई के प्रति अपनी प्रतिबद्धता को दोहराते हैं। मैं शीर्ष अधिकारियों के साथ घटना की समीक्षा कर रहा हूं।

मैंने अधिकारियों के लिए निर्देश दोहराया है कि नक्सली गोलियों का जवाब उनकी भाषा में ही दिया जाए।

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) April 9, 2019

The attack is reminiscent of a similar incident that took place in the Naxal hotbed of Bastar ahead of the Assembly elections in May 2013. Twenty-seven people, including senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma and former Union minister VC Shukla, were killed in the ambush.

Before the Assembly elections in November last year, a CISF personnel and three civilians were killed in Dantewada when an improvised explosive device planted by Naxalites tore through a bus.

Dantewada falls in the Bastar Lok Sabha seat which will go to polls in the first phase on 11 April.

(With inputs from PTI)