Naxalites Burn 4 Trucks Carrying Iron Ore In Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur

Naxalites set ablaze four trucks transporting iron ore from a mine in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district.

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Naxalites have ignited four trucks transporting iron ore from a mine in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, according to police officials cited by news agency PTI on Sunday. The incident, occurring late Saturday night, resulted in no reported injuries, as confirmed by the report.

"A group of Naxalites intercepted the four trucks laden with iron ore from the Aamdai Ghati mine, assigned to a private company, near Chhotedongar police station along the Orchha-Narayanpur road," a senior police official told PTI.

The drivers were instructed to exit the trucks before the assailants set the vehicles ablaze and swiftly departed from the scene, as detailed in the report.

Upon receiving the alert, a police unit promptly arrived, albeit the trucks had already been entirely engulfed in flames, the report said.

As per media reports, this isn't the first instance of Naxalite opposition to the Aamdai Ghati mine project, with past incidents involving the torching of vehicles engaged in site operations.

Narayanpur district falls under the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, slated for polling during the initial phase of the general elections on April 19.

6 Killed In Bijapur Encounter 

Earlier in the week, PTI reported that six Naxalites, including two female operatives were killed in a skirmish with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

The encounter occurred in the forest terrain bordering the Talperu River near Chipurbhatti village within the Basaguda police station jurisdiction. At the time, a joint security team was conducting an anti-Naxal operation, stated Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P to PTI.

Bijapur district, situated within the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, is slated for elections in the initial phase of the general polls on April 19.

Chhattisgarh To Hold Lok Sabha Elections In 3 Phases

Chhattisgarh, encompassing 11 parliamentary constituencies, will witness polling for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections across three phases. The electoral process is scheduled for April 19, April 26, and May 7, with the counting set for June 4.

In the 2019 general elections, the BJP clinched nine seats in the state, securing a vote share of 50.70%, while the Congress managed two seats with a vote share of 40.91%.

Following a commanding victory in last year's state Assembly elections, where the BJP secured 54 out of 90 seats, the party anticipates another strong showing in Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, the Congress aims for a resurgence after its underwhelming performance in 2019.