A very unusual photo is being shared on social media platforms with obituaries underneath it. A youth wearing specs and a wristwatch is seen in a dark green combat uniform with a cap. Simple rubber sandals make up for the footwear in the backdrop of terrain resembling thick jungle.
The photo also has contradictory elements. Slung on the shoulder of the person is a rifle but around the neck is a stethoscope. The 24-year old is S. Chandu alias Ravi of Eturu village in north Telangana.
The Maoist was killed in the ongoing Operation Kagar being carried out in the Karregutta hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. Recently, his body was handed over to his family members by Chhattisgarh police. Ravi’s other photos are a contrast to the one which showcases his affiliation with the banned Maoists.
In one photo, he resembles any lively youngster who is posing for an Instagram-worthy photo. Sporting a smile, Ravi is dressed casually yet stylishly. He is in a maroon short-sleeved T-shirt and slim-fit light blue pants. On his wrist is a black-coloured sleek smartwatch or a fitness band. He was wearing sporty white and black slides as footwear.
The two photos in short narrate the short journey of Ravi, from a normal youngster to a key member of the Maoist party. The second son of Annapurna and Venkateswarlu, Ravi studied till intermediate. Later on, he took up a job as a lab technician in Bhadrachalam town. There he was reportedly influenced by the Maoist ideology and veered towards the movement.
He joined the Maoists a couple of years back. When his cremation was held in the village, his family and friends were overwhelmed with grief unable to come to terms with his drastic decision that had a deadly outcome.
Though inexperienced and new to the movement, Ravi was known to have quickly gotten close to the leadership due to his sharp mind and commitment.
Within the Maoists, it has been learnt that he would be called and seen as a ‘doctor’. Even though he did not possess any formal medical degree, his experience as a lab technician came in handy and he was being trained to attend to health issues of the cadre.
Hence, his role became critical within the Maoist group stationed at Karregutta Hills. It is not known how he was killed and when exactly he died but his life story is triggering curiously online.
