Naxals free 7 abducted villagers from Chhattisgarh's Sukma

Around 7 villagers who were abducted by Naxalites from Chhattisgarh's Sukma district have been let off with a final warning. It is learnt that the Naxals had taken the villagers hostage considering them to be informers.

Sukma (Chattisgarh):Seven people from a village in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district were released by Naxals, with a final warning. The Naxalites had organized a public court in Tolavarti area to release the abducted villagers and later on Tuesday freed them. It is known that, in the insurgency-hit Sukma district, seven people were recently picked up by ultras for "unknown reasons" from separate localities of Kunded village under Jagargunda police station limits. As per the preliminary investigation, the seven people were picked up by ultras from the village, while locals claimed they went to other places to attend a marriage function and for agricultural purposes, Sukma Superintendent of Police Sunil Sharma had said.

Following the incident, an atmosphere of heightened tension and panic prevailed in the area. Since then, the villagers had also appealed to the Naxalites demanding the safe release of the seven. Even, 34 villagers had met the Naxalites in a bid to hold negotiations.

Read:Chhattisgarh: 7 villagers untraceable in Sukma; Naxal hand suspected

Police sources had earlier said that Naxals might have taken the villagers for a meeting. Recenlty, Naxals had killed a former colleague, Raju Venjam (28), who had quit their outfit and was leading a normal life in the insurgency-hit Bijapur district, an official said, adding that the rebels might've abducted him while he was working at his field in Padeda village under Kotwali police station limits. His body bore injuries inflicted by sharp weapons, and was found lying on a road close to the village.

Earlier, an encounter had broken out between security forces and Naxalites in Narayanpur area, wherein, a soldier deployed in the 45th Battalion of ITBP and a constable were martyred. The incident took place on the road near Amdai Shiva temple on Orchha road.