Maoists kill postman in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District

BIJAPUR - Armed Maoists killed a postman in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur District suspecting him to be a supporter of their opponents.

The incident occurred at around 10: 30 a.m. on Tuesday when Vinay Kodium, who was also a local businessman, was running his establishment at a weekly market in Matwada village here.

Nearly 25-armed Maoist disguised as villagers, stormed the market and fired at Kodium.

35-year-old Kodium was hurt on his back, chest and neck, and succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

The market has been shut following the incident.

The paramilitary Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel, whose camp was located just around 200 meters away from the market, reached the spot immediately after the incident.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday described the Maoists as anti-poor and anti-development.

He said the Maoists have targeted all instruments of development.

“The Naxalites are anti-development and have targeted the very instruments of development - school buildings, roads, telephone towers etc. They know that development will mean the masses, especially poor tribals, wean them away from the grip of Naxalites,” Chidambaram said.

“In 2009 alone, they have demolished 71 school buildings, 23 Panchayat Bhawans, two power plants, attacked 67 telephone exchanges or mobile towers were attacked, and demolished, 46 attacks on railway properties, 17 attacks on specific industrial establishments,” he added.

Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday said the South Asian region is emerging as the ‘focal point’ for all terrorist organisations.

Antony said the Central Government would take a final call on the use of armed forces against the Maoists after considering all aspects.

“Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has decided that the Home Ministry would be the nodal point on the Naxal problem,” said Antony.

The Maoist rebels have ignored calls from the Government to renounce violence and negotiate. Instead, they have stepped up their attacks in recent months, prompting the government to go after them in a concerted strike. (ANI)