In a significant development related to the Loharidih incident in Kawardha, the State Government has suspended Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vikas Kumar, who was leading the operation at the time. This move follows suspicious death of Prashant Sahu, an accused in judicial custody who had been arrested in connection with violence in Loharidih. Vikas Kumar, an a 2020-batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, was at the forefront of managing the situation that eventually led to this tragedy. “The double-engine government has derailed and failed completely. We are now planning the next course of action,” he added. On the issue of Naxalite violence, Baij challenged the government’s claims of peace in Bastar.

 

“Has the Naxalite problem been resolved? Are people no longer being killed? Taking victims to Delhi won’t solve the issue. The President should visit Bastar to assess the situation firsthand,” he remarked. Baij also condemned recent derogatory statements made against Rahul Gandhi by central ministers and BJP MLAs. “Their fear of his growing popularity is evident. Such language has no place in democracy. Will the BJP take action against its leaders?” he questioned, vowing a new strategy to counter such behavior.

 

 

CPCC Chief Deepak Baij expressed grave concern over the escalating violence in Kawardha, stating that the situation is dire. He said, “Kawardha is burning, murders are happening continuously, people are being hanged, homes are being torched, and deaths in police custody happening. Kawardha has become the new Manipur.” Baij criticized the state’s law enforcement efforts, noting that even after Chief Minister Sai’s intervention and meetings with the SP’s and Collector, no tangible results were seen. “While they were holding meetings, people’s houses were burning. The Chief Minister has repeatedly instructed them to curb crime and drug addiction, but it seems no one is listening,” Baij said, questioning the administration’s ability to control the situation. Baij further questioned the governance of State, asking if it was being run from Delhi or Nagpur.