‘Caught in ambush’: Naxals release statement on DD cameraperson’s killing in Chhattisgarh attack

Naxals responsible for killing a Doordarshan cameraperson and two policemen released a statement Friday alleging that the victim was caught in an ambush and that they did not intend to ‘target the media’.

The Doordarshan team had been in Dantewada for covering the upcoming elections. The polls will commence in two phases – November 12 and November 20. The counting will be held on December 11.

The statement released by Sainath, Secretary of the Darbha divisional committee of the Maoists read, “DD Cameraman Achyutananda Sahu was killed after being caught in the ambush and we had no intention of targeting the media.”

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The letter further asked journalists and officials on election duty to not accompany security personnel.

In a retort to the statement issued, Dantewada SP said the apology is part of an expected strategy and questioned the purpose of looting the camera which had the recorded footage.

“Because it (camera) had recorded evidence of what happened in the first few minutes of targeted media ambush. Multiple bullet wounds and skull fractures on the martyred cameraman in no ways indicated it was by mistake,” he said.