RAIPUR (CHHATISGARH) – BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi, his driver and three Personal Security Officers (PSO) were Tuesday killed when their convoy was attacked by Maoist in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, days before the first-phase polling in the state, police said.
The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the MLA’s convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area.
The Naxalites blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire at the occupants. The MLA and four security personnel were killed in the attack, police officials said.
“IED of about 50 to 60 kg would have been used in the blast,” Abhishek Pallav, Dantewada Superintendent of Police, told reporters at the spot. According to the SP the road was sanitised about a week back.
Bhima Mandavi, 40, was elected to Chhattisgarh Assembly from Dantewada only 4 months ago. He was the only BJP legislator in the 12 seats of the Maoist-hit Bastar region. The other 11 belong to the Congress.
He became a legislator for the first time by defeating rival Manish Kunjam (CPI), and thereby relegating Congress veteran and former leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma to a third position in 2009.
He had also been vocal in his criticism of the ruling Congress party.
Soon after the attack on Mandavi and the officers, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi took to Twitter to condemn the dastardly act:
Dantewada falls in the Bastar Lok Sabha seat which will go to polls in the first phase on April 11.
