Maoists kill two villagers in Bastar's Bijapur, police launch search operation

RAIPUR: Maoists killed two villagers with sharp-edged weapons in Bastar's Bijapur district late Friday, in yet another targeted attack against locals suspected of being police informers. The incident took place in the remote village of Bijapur, some five kilometers from the Nambi camp where deputy CM Vijay Sharma visited on Friday noon.

The two persons killed were relatives and they were dragged out of their homes by armed Maoists before being assaulted and killed. Police said that there was no leaflet found from the spot.


The victims Ravi Kattam (25) and Tirupati Sodhi (38) — were maternal uncle and nephew, and also neighbors at Nelakanker village in Usoor region and they were asleep with family when the assailants barged into their house.

According to information, the victim's family member is associated to paramilitary forces and the attack appears to be a retaliatory strike. Security officials suspect the rebels accused the two of providing intelligence to forces.

Both men frequently traveled to Awapalli and the Bijapur district headquarters, which may have raised Maoists' suspicion. Usoor police rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched a search operation in the surrounding areas with assistance from security forces.

The killings have triggered fear and panic among villagers. This attack comes just days after Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma’s visit to Bijapur, a tour during which he reviewed anti-Maoist operations and security deployments. Officials believe the rebels are increasingly frustrated by intensified force presence, massive surrenders, and administrative outreach in the region — and are retaliating by targeting civilians.

Maoists have killed at least seven villagers in the past month across Sukma and Bijapur over allegations of espionage. Before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Bastar visit on October 4, two villagers were murdered in these districts. The latest killings highlight a troubling pattern: as security forces consolidate gains and Maoist influence weakens, rebels are resorting to brutal intimidation tactics to retain control over villages.