A BJP MLA and at least five security personnel in his convoy were killed in a Maoist attack in poll bound Bastar of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday afternoon. Polling is scheduled in Bastar, a severely Maoist-hit area, on April 11 at the first phase of election.
The attack on the convoy of the BJP legislator from Dantewada Bheema Mandavi happened in Shyamgiri locality under the Nakulkar police station in Dantewada district of Bastar, sources said. The number of security men who were killed could be higher, sources added.
Superintendent of police of Dantewada, Abhishek Pallav, confirmed to media about the death of BJP MLA Mandavi in the attack. The SP, however, said that the MLA was taking a route restricted for security purpose. This route is considered a shortcut in Shyamgiri area but said to be particularly infested by Maoists. More details are yet awaited.
According to information available, the Maoists carried out a landmine blast and then also attacked the MLA with sharp weapons to kill him on the spot. Mandavi was the only BJP MLA in 12 assembly constituencies that form the Bastar parliamentary seat. Extra security measures are in place for the polls slated for Thursday.
