Agnivesh, journos attacked by locals in Dantewada

Social activist Swami Agnivesh and accompanying journalists were allegedly attacked by a mob of Chhattisgarh Special Police Officers (SPOs) and former members of the Salwa Judum (a tribal vigilante group), when the pro-Maoists leader was on way to Chintalnar in Dantewada on Saturday.

The mob pelted stones at the Swami?s vehicle and attacked the reporters, snatching cameras and cellphones, reports said on Sunday.

The group was on way to Chintalnar where security forces had alleged torched houses and sexually assaulted women during an anti-Maoist raid earlier this month.

The mob vented their ire on the Swami for his pro-Maoist stance, questioning his silence when the Maoists attacked security men and civilians.

The mob comprised of women as well as SPOs, who are local youths recruited to help in anti-Maoist operations.

Ajay Singh and Acharya Rishi Milind of Art of Living were also with Agnivesh and the journalists.

They were scheduled to distribute clothes, blankets and other materials to the affected people. The relief material was alleged seized from them and they were forced to return to Sukma and seek assistance from Chhattisgarh chief minister Ramen Singh.

The visiting group was pulled out of their vehicles, heckled and manhandled.

The national highway 30, connecting Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, was also blocked by local people for several hours, demanding that Swami Agnivesh be not allowed into Dantewada.

Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh government cracked the whip on the district senior superintendent of police and collector for the security lapse.

SSP SRP Kalluri was moved as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sarguja Range, with Ankit Garg replacing him in Dantewada.

Collector R Prasanna was shifted as Raipur Municipal Corporation and Om Prakash Choudhary will be the new Dantewada Collector.