Maoists call for poll boycott, attack BJP & Congress

RAIPUR: The Maoists have given their now customary poll boycott call, with the spokesperson of the ‘south sub-zonal bureau’ asking people to “chase away” BJP candidates and oppose those from Congress.

Maoist-hit Bastar goes to the polls in the first phase on November 7. The second phase is on November 17.

Maoist spokesperson Samta accused both Congress and BJP of “giving in to corporate houses”, “fomenting communal and religious hatred”, and exploiting tribals in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Odisha. The Maoists blamed PM Narendra Modi and his government for inflation and unemployment.

“After coming to power in Chhattisgarh, Congress started walking the lines of BJP and misled people with attractive names of schemes like ‘Gadhbo Nava Chhattisgarh’,” the Maoists said, reminding of the killing of villages in Silger.

Tribal BJP worker shot dead in Maoist belt ahead of assembly polls in Chhattisgarh

A prominent tribal leader and BJP worker, Birju Taram, was shot dead in Chhattisgarh's Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district. Maoist involvement is suspected, but locals believe a local troublemaker who had clashed with Taram may be responsible. Taram was killed after returning home from a public rally led by former chief minister Raman Singh. Locals and family members believe he was targeted for worshipping the goddess Durga. BJP leaders have expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Chhattisgarh and have demanded action against the accused.

Two Maoists killed in encounter ahead of Chhattisgarh assembly polls

Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forests of Kanker district in Chhattisgarh, just two weeks before the district's elections. The security forces, including the district reserve guards and the Border Security Force, were conducting search operations when the Maoists opened fire. The Maoists eventually retreated, leaving behind the bodies of their colleagues. Police have recovered weapons and explosives from the scene. The search operation is still ongoing. Three assembly segments in Kanker district will be going for polls in the first phase of elections.

BJP worker shot dead in Chhattisgarh, Maoist hand suspected

A tribal BJP worker was shot by three bike-borne men in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, making him the sixth BJP member to be killed in the state this year. The victim had attended a rally of former CM Raman Singh prior to the incident. Locals and relatives suspect the involvement of a strongman who had clashed with the victim and other tribals over idol worship. Former CM Singh blamed the state government for the political killing.

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