Former Chhattisgarh CM speaks for the first time after being appointed Congress in-charge of Assam; Mahendra Karma’s son Chhavindra Karma raises serious questions over the 2013 massacre
Bhilai/Dantewada: The Jhiram Valley massacre has once again become a major political issue in Chhattisgarh following the court’s verdict in the case. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and questioned several aspects of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Chhavindra Karma, son of former Congress leader and Bastar Tiger Mahendra Karma, has also voiced dissatisfaction with the verdict and indicated that the Karma family may approach the High Court seeking further legal action.
Baghel made the remarks during his interaction with the media at his residence in Sector 3, Bhilai. He also spoke about his recent appointment as the Congress in-charge for Assam.
Bhupesh Baghel speaks for the first time on Assam responsibility
Reacting to his appointment as the Congress in-charge of Assam, Bhupesh Baghel said organisational responsibilities within the party are regularly changed according to political and organisational requirements.
He said Assam is not an unfamiliar state for him, as he has visited the state several times for party-related work and interacted with people there.
Baghel said he would fulfil the responsibility assigned to him by the party leadership with full commitment.
“The party high command keeps changing organisational responsibilities from time to time. I have now been given the responsibility of Assam. Assam is a familiar state to me.” — Bhupesh Baghel
Baghel praises Sukhdev Bhagat
Baghel also welcomed the appointment of Sukhdev Bhagat as the Congress in-charge of Chhattisgarh.
He described Bhagat as a senior Congress leader with considerable organisational and political experience. Baghel noted that Bhagat had earlier served as the president of the Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee and said his experience would benefit the party.
“Sukhdev Bhagat is a senior leader and his experience will be useful for the organisation. The party will move forward under his leadership.” — Bhupesh Baghel
Former CM expresses dissatisfaction over Jhiram Valley verdict
On the Jhiram Valley massacre verdict, Baghel said the Congress was not satisfied with the outcome. He questioned why several aspects of the deadly attack had not been fully addressed and why the investigation had not resulted in action against senior Maoist leaders allegedly linked to the case.
Responding to remarks made by BJP leader Santosh Pandey regarding the verdict, Baghel said that merely naming an individual would not be enough unless the authorities were prepared to question and take action against that person.
“Yes, I have the slip containing the names. I can name them, but someone should tell me whether they will be questioned and whether any action will actually be taken against them.” — Bhupesh Baghel
Questions raised over SIT investigation
Baghel also questioned the progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation into the Jhiram Valley attack.
He alleged that names of senior Maoist leaders that were reportedly mentioned in the initial FIR were subsequently removed or no longer figured prominently in the investigation. He questioned why this happened.
The former chief minister also raised questions about the security arrangements on the day of the attack and asked who had ordered the security forces deployed along the route to be withdrawn.
Baghel said his government had constituted an SIT to investigate the Jhiram Valley incident and had also approached the court regarding the investigation. He questioned why the SIT investigation did not progress after the change in government.
Congress continues to raise questions over the wider conspiracy
The Congress has repeatedly demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Jhiram Valley attack.
Questions have been raised over the security arrangements at the time, alleged changes in the route of the Congress Parivartan Yatra, intelligence inputs available before the attack and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
Baghel maintained that the investigation should not be restricted only to those who allegedly carried out the attack but should also examine all other aspects surrounding the incident.
Chhavindra Karma questions verdict
In Dantewada, Chhavindra Karma also expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case.
The son of Mahendra Karma said that the verdict delivered more than 13 years after the attack had not answered several important questions surrounding the incident.
He indicated that the Karma family could approach the High Court as part of its continued legal fight for justice.
“Several important aspects of the Jhiram incident remain unanswered, and the complete truth about the alleged conspiracy behind the attack is yet to come out.” — Chhavindra Karma
32 people were killed in the 2013 Jhiram Valley massacre
The Jhiram Valley attack took place on May 25, 2013, when Maoists attacked a convoy of Congress leaders in Bastar.
A total of 32 people were killed, including several prominent Congress leaders. Those killed included then Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee president Nand Kumar Patel, former state minister Mahendra Karma and former Union minister Vidya Charan Shukla.
The attack remains one of the deadliest Maoist attacks in the history of Chhattisgarh.
Questions over names including Ganapathy and Ramanna
Chhavindra Karma also questioned the course of the investigation and referred to alleged Maoist leaders including Ganapathy and Ramanna.
He questioned why the names of some alleged accused or suspects were subsequently no longer prominent in the investigation.
According to Karma, a case of the magnitude of the Jhiram Valley massacre should not be confined to a limited number of accused. He called for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the roles of all individuals who may have been connected with the attack.
Karma family signals further legal battle
Chhavindra Karma said the family would continue its legal fight to seek justice for the victims of the Jhiram Valley massacre.
The family has indicated that it may approach the High Court, arguing that several questions surrounding the attack remain unanswered even after more than 13 years.
According to the family, the circumstances surrounding the attack, the alleged conspiracy and the role of all those responsible must be thoroughly investigated before the case can be considered fully resolved.
Disclaimer: Statements and allegations made by Bhupesh Baghel and Chhavindra Karma have been presented as their claims. Allegations mentioned in this report should not be construed as judicially established facts unless confirmed by a competent court.
