Dantewada: A police sub-inspector, an assistant constable and a Doordarshan camera-person were today killed when Naxals ambushed them at Nilwaya area, 30 km from the district headquarters, police said.
"A Doordarshan crew had arrived from New Delhi for election coverage. A police team had been assigned the security of the team. The team had gone to Nilwaya for reportage when Maoists opened fire on them," said Special Inspector General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operation) DM Awasthi.
Sub-Inspector Rudra Pratap, assistant constable Manglu and Doordarshan camera-person Achyutanand Sahu died on the spot. Their bodies were sent to the District Hospital for post-mortem. Constable Vishnu Netam and assistant constable Rakesh Gautam were injured and admitted to the hospital. Senior police officials rushed the spot. Additional police have been dispatched to the scene.
This is the second major incident in the past three days in the election-bound state. Earlier, four CRPF personnel were martyred and two others injured during an explosion triggered by Naxals in Bijapur District. Besides, the ultras had attacked a BJP legislator at his house two days ago.
The rebels have announced to boycott the elections. Today's attack comes in spite of the assurance by the extremists that they would not target media persons. (UNI)