Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
Neither the people of Chhattisgarh nor the leaders can forget the 2013 Jheeram Ghati Naxal attack. The news of the massacre of 2013 had echoed through not only India, but across the world. The entire leadership of the Congress in Chhattisgarh was killed in that attack.
The Quint reach the Naxal-affected areas of Jheeram Ghati right before the Chhattisgarh polls to interact with residents here. The memories of the attack and the fear of the Naxals still haunt the residents of the area.
Jheeram Ghati had turned ‘red’
It was 25 May 2013. The Congress party was focused on Bastar, and while still busy in elections, it started a ‘Journey for Change’. The ‘yatra’ started with Maoist-impacted and highly-sensitive area, Sukma district. The Congress leaders were set to leave after addressing the first rally here.
The Congress leaders had come together after a long time. Ajit Jogi, who had made his separate party, could be seen with with Vidya Charan Shukla, who was known for ‘anti bullying’. It was 4.30 that evening. Just when the convoy of almost 40 vehicles started to cross the Darbha valley, the first blast happened.
Naxals, who were hiding there to ambush-attack the group, had triggered the IED blast. Then, they launched a round of firing. They started searching for Mahendra Karma, who was known for running Salwa Judum. He was the face of the Congress party in Bastar and on Naxal’s hit list.
Remembering those attacks, local journalists say:
“We reached there after two hours. Many media persons and local villagers had already reached for help. Bodies were scattered all around. Everyone was scared. People dreaded another blast. This is the same spot where the blast happened. This bridge collapsed in the blast. Corpses were hanging from the trees. The Naxals took Nand Kumar Patel and his son into the forest. In the evening, around 6-6.30, we got the news that they have also been murdered. A CRPF camp was opened in the forest four-six months after the attack. Another camp was opened in the Jheeram village that’s 2.5 km away from here.”Suresh Singh, local reporter
“Sir, we never voted before this. Naxals threaten that they will dismember us. But this time, I will vote. “Mangal, Jheeram resident
“There are no roads, no electricity, no water. They made toilets, but there is no water. No one then came asking for votes.”Dularam Sodhi, Jheeram resident
Chhattisgarh’s 90 seats will be contested in two phases. The 18 seats in the Naxal-affected areas will be contested on 12 November. Amid the Naxal threats and the political clashes, these tribals do vote, but there is no change.
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