Chhattisgarh: BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi, four security personnel killed in Maoist attack in Bastar

RAIPUR: In a major attack just two days ahead of polling in the tribal Bastar constituency, a BJP legislator Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel were killed when Maoists triggered a powerful IED blast while the legislator was returning from electioneering near Kuakonda in Dantewada district in tribal Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.


Photo: TOI

• Bhima Mandavi lone BJP MLA to win from entire tribal Bastar region

Bhima Mandavi, a legislator representing Dantewada (ST) constituency in the assembly, and the security personnel were travelling in an SUV through one of the worst Naxal affected Kuakonda area in Dantewada district when the blast took place. The vehicle was mangled beyond recognition and the bodies were strewn around at the blast site. Four security personnel of the district force were among those killed in the attack.

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Photo: ANI

While Mandavi’s vehicle was bullet proof, there was heavy explosive used to triggered the IED blast.

The Maoist attack took place around 4.30pm, just half an hour before electioneering was to end in Bastar (ST) Lok Sabha seat, the lone constituency going to polls in the first phase of polling on April 11. Mandavi was reportedly returning after canvassing support for BJP candidate Baiduram Kashyap through Kuakonda route, which the police have always maintained as unsafe as the region was considered as heavily mined by the Maoists. There are also unconfirmed reports that Mandavi took the route to reach another destination before campaigning ends at 5pm.

• Bastar killings: Second major attack on political parties after May 2013 massacre

Bhima Mandavi, 40, was elected to the state assembly from Dantewada (ST) assembly constituency in December, just four months ago, defeating Devti Karma of Congress. He became a legislator for the first time when he defeated his nearest rival Manish Kunjam (CPI) relegating Congress veteran and former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma to third position in 2009.

• Maoist attack: BJP MLA ignored police warnings, used the unsafe route, claims Dantewada SP

During the last one week, Maoists had unleashed three attacks in tribal Bastar region, killing security personnel and injuring others in three separate incidents. After the new Congress government came into power, Maoists lay low for the first three months and stepped up violence after declaration of the Lok Sabha elections, targeting the security forces.

During the electioneering, it’s a standard operating procedure in Bastar that candidates and other party leaders will have to provide prior information to the police about their movements in entire Bastar region so that the police could provide security cover, wherever necessary. It is not immediately known whether the BJP legislator and others have informed the police about their movement through the troubed Kuakonda area.

Dantewada district superintendent of police Abhishek Pallava and other senior police officials have reached the spot.