Raipur
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao was martyred on 9 June in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in the Konta division of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The State Investigation Agency (SIA) has now been tasked with probing the case, following an order issued by the Home Department.
Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Dev Gautam and SIA Director Ankit Garg have given specific instructions to the investigation team. Superintendent of Police (SP) Neeraj Chandrakar is leading the team, which comprises six police personnel including an SP, ASP, Inspector (TI), and Sub-Inspector (SI).
According to sources, the SIA team is expected to depart for Sukma within the next two days. The team will collect evidence from the blast site and work to identify and apprehend the Naxals responsible for planting the IED.
Blast Injures SDOP, TI; ASP Dies
The incident occurred on 9 June at Dondra village, along the Konta-Errabor road, when an IED exploded. ASP Akash Rao sustained grievous injuries, losing both his legs, and succumbed before reaching the hospital. SDOP Bhanupratap Chandrakar and TI Sonal Gawala were also injured in the blast.
Additional Director General (ADG) Vivekanand Sinha earlier described the incident as a Naxal trap.
To execute the attack, Naxals had set ablaze a J.C.B. machine and other equipment at a quarry in Dondra village on the night of 8 June. They then planted the IED approximately two feet underground, a short distance from the torched machinery.
ASP Rao’s team was returning after investigating the Naxal incident when the blast occurred. SDOP Chandrakar and TI Gawala are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Raipur. TI Gawala informed officials that firing also took place after the explosion.
Police officials believe that the Naxals could not launch a further attack due to the police station being just two kilometres away, preventing more casualties.
Understanding the State Investigation Agency (SIA)
The Chhattisgarh government, under Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai, formed the State Investigation Agency (SIA) a year ago. This agency operates in the state along the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The SIA’s primary focus is investigating cases related to Naxalism, religious conversions, and cattle smuggling.
The Chhattisgarh SIA currently has 26 personnel. SIA officials report directly to the DGP and the Home Department. Chhattisgarh is the second state in India, after Jammu and Kashmir, to establish an SIA.
SIA to Get NAFIS Access
The SIA will have access to online information on Naxals, insurgents, and criminals available with the police department through the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
NAFIS is a project by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that facilitates information sharing among police forces in 18 states regarding active criminals, their details, and fingerprints, aiding in identification.
The SIA has the authority to conduct investigations independently across the state. Its teams do not need to inform the local SP or police station in-charge before taking action in any district. They will share information with the concerned authorities after carrying out operations.
