Raipur: In a tragic escalation of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh, two villagers were allegedly killed by Maoists in Nelakanker village, located in Bijapur district, late on Friday night. According to police reports, the deceased, identified as Ravi Kattam (25) and Tirupati Sodhi (38), were attacked with sharp-edged weapons after a group of armed Maoists reportedly entered the village under the cover of darkness.

The Bijapur police released a statement detailing the incident, noting that both men were killed on the spot. “Preliminary reports suggest that the group of armed Maoists entered the village late at night and attacked the two men, killing them immediately with sharp weapons,” the statement read.

Authorities have indicated that the exact motive behind the killings is yet to be confirmed. However, initial inputs suggest that the victims may have been suspected of acting as police informers, a claim often cited in Maoist attacks in the region. The Usur police station dispatched a team to the area to verify the incident and gather further details. A police officer involved in the investigation said, “The information about the killings was received late at night. The matter is being verified, and a team has been sent to the spot to ascertain the facts.”

This attack raises serious concerns about civilian safety in the Bastar region, which has witnessed persistent Maoist activity over the years. With the death of Ravi Kattam and Tirupati Sodhi, the total number of civilians killed in Maoist-related incidents in Bastar this year has risen to 41.

The killings come amid intensified anti-Maoist operations in Bijapur and adjoining districts. Security forces have ramped up patrolling and surveillance in interior villages across the conflict-affected areas of south Chhattisgarh, aiming to curb the influence of insurgent groups and protect local communities.

Local residents have expressed growing fear as the cycle of violence continues. The state administration has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of villagers and called for cooperation with security agencies to provide timely intelligence. Meanwhile, investigations into the recent attack are ongoing, with authorities focusing on identifying the perpetrators and preventing further incidents.