Naxalites kill deputy sarpanch, teacher in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district

A deputy village sarpanch and a teacher were killed by suspected Naxalites after holding a so-called 'jan adalat' or kangaroo court in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said on Thursday.

The two were performing their respective duty with dedication, but Naxalites killed them out of frustration, an official said.

Deputy sarpanch Madvi Ganga and `Shiksha Doot' (temporary visiting teacher) Kawasi Sukka were summoned by Naxalites to Duled village under Jagargunda sub-division eight days ago, said district Superintendent of Police Kiran Chauhan.

Two years ago, Ganga, who has been actively creating awareness about government's welfare schemes in the area, was similarly called by Naxalites and kept in captivity for some days before being released, he said.

His family members thought this time too he would be released after a few days, the SP said.

Some villagers and leaders of tribal communities approached Naxalites to secure the release of the duo, but to no avail. On being alerted about, the police tried to trace their whereabouts, Chauhan said.

On Wednesday, Naxalites held a `jan adalat' (people's court) and killed them, the IPS officer said.

A police team later brought their bodies and sent them for autopsies, he said, adding a combing operation has been launched to track down the Naxalites involved in the killings.

“Ganga was actively working to apprise people about public welfare schemes and important documents like ration card, Ayushman (health) card and Aadhaar. Sukka was teaching rural children in sensitive villages like Tademtla so that they could play their role in development of society and the area,'' Chauhan said.

Naxalites have been losing ground in the Bastar region, once their stronghold, and hence killed the two innocent villagers out of frustration, he added.