A man killed in an encounter with security forces last month, whom police identified as a Maoist operative, has been revealed by local officials to be a cook at a government school. This new information has sparked controversy and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
The deceased, identified as 42-year-old Sunderlal Netam, was shot dead on May 18 in a dense forest area near his village in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. At the time, police released a statement claiming Netam was a low-ranking Maoist cadre actively involved in their operations. They cited intelligence reports and the recovery of a country-made firearm from the scene as proof of his alleged links to the outlawed group.
However, officials from the local education department and villagers have strongly refuted the police’s claims. “Sunderlal Netam has been working as a cook at the primary school in our village for the past seven years,” stated a block education officer, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter. “He was a simple, hardworking man, dedicated to his job and his family. We are shocked and saddened by these allegations.”
Villagers echoed these sentiments, describing Netam as an integral part of their community. “He would cook midday meals for our children every day. He was never involved in anything illegal,” said a distraught villager, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal. “The police are mistaken. They have killed an innocent man.”
Netam’s family, still reeling from the loss, has demanded an independent inquiry into his death. His wife, Maya Netam, tearfully stated, “My husband left for the forest to collect firewood, as he often did. He never came back. He was not a Maoist. He was the sole breadwinner for our family.”
Police authorities, however, are standing by their initial assessment. A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, reiterated, “We have intelligence indicating his involvement with Maoist activities. The recovered weapon and other evidence support our findings. Investigations are ongoing, and we are prepared to present our evidence if required.”
The incident has reignited concerns among human rights activists about the transparency of anti-Maoist operations in the region and the potential for mistaken identity. “This is not an isolated incident,” commented a prominent human rights lawyer based in Raipur. “There have been numerous instances where individuals killed in encounters were later found to have no links to Naxalite groups. There is an urgent need for accountability and a thorough, impartial investigation into every such death.”
The state government has yet to issue an official statement on the conflicting reports. The case highlights the complex and often tragic challenges faced by security forces operating in Maoist-affected areas, as well as the critical importance of accurate intelligence and due process to prevent the loss of innocent lives. As the villagers mourn Sunderlal Netam, the demand for truth and justice grows louder.