Chhattisgarh Police to Investigate Jheeram Attack as NIA’s Appeal Rejected in Supreme Court, Over 30 Congress frontline leaders were killed in Naxal attack

Raipur In a significant development, the investigation into Chhattisgarh’s Jheeram Valley Naxal attack has been handed over to the Chhattisgarh Police following the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) appeal. This attack, orchestrated by Naxalites on May 25, 2013, marked a tragic day in the history of Congress in Chhattisgarh, claiming the lives of over 30 prominent Congress leaders. The assault targeted the transformative journey of the Congress from Sukma to Jagdalpur in Bastar’s Jheeram Valley. The Naxalites, including Maoists, launched a barrage of gunfire at the convoy of Congress leaders’ vehicles, resulting in the untimely demise of esteemed figures like Mahendra Karma, Nand Kumar Patel, and Vidya Charan Shukla. “For a long time, the state government had urged for a Chhattisgarh Police-led investigation,” stated Sudipta Srivastava, the counsel representing Congress in the case. The aftermath of the attack left the convoy’s vehicles in a harrowing state, bearing witness to the indiscriminate gunfire that claimed numerous lives. Expressing discontent with the NIA’s handling of the case, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel highlighted the government’s efforts in establishing a Special Investigation Team (SIT) since assuming office in 2018. “Despite our requests to take charge of the investigation, the NIA didn’t cooperate or engage with survivors for statements,” stated Baghel, emphasizing the NIA’s failure to apprehend the culprits over the past decade. As the state commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Jheeram attack, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s visit to Bastar saw emotional meetings with the families affected by the tragedy. “The wounds of that day continue to resonate deeply,” expressed Baghel, questioning the exclusion of prominent Naxal leaders’ names from the FIR, including Ramananda and Ganapati, during his interaction with affected families.