NIA Charges 17 in CPI (Maoist) Attacks on CRPF Camps in Chhattisgarh
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 14th June: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against 17 individuals, including 16 absconders, in connection with the 2024 attacks on CRPF camps in Chhattisgarh by CPI (Maoist) terror operatives.
Among the chargesheeted accused, only one, Sodi Baman alias Deval, is currently under arrest. The remaining 16 absconders include high-ranking cadres from various CPI (Maoist) units, such as central committee members, special zonal/state committee members, and top cadres of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, Telangana state committee, and Pamed area committee. The PLGA is the armed wing of the CPI (Maoist).
The chargesheet, filed on Friday before an NIA special court in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, implicates all accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The case pertains to the attacks on the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) new camp at Dharmavaram and two adjacent CRPF/CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) camps at Chintawagu and Pamed in Bijapur district on January 16, 2024. The attackers, armed with automatic weapons and barrel grenade launchers (BGLs), attempted to loot weapons and other belongings from the security forces. Twelve CRPF personnel at the Dharmavaram camp, established on December 17, 2023, were injured in the assault.
The NIA took over the investigation from local police on February 9, 2024, registering the case against 21 named and 250-300 unknown armed cadres of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
Investigations have revealed that the chargesheeted accused were involved in recruiting youth as part of a criminal conspiracy to wage war against the democratically-elected government of India. They were found to be in possession of prohibited arms, ammunition, and explosive materials, and had organized and attended conspiracy meetings. The probe agency also stated that the accused established dummy training camps resembling the target camps, provided training and motivational speeches to their armed cadres to incite rebellion, conducted reconnaissance of the camps, and executed the final attacks.
