ISLAMABAD – A BJP MLA and four security personnel were killed inChhattisgarh Tuesday as Naxals blew up their vehicle, two days beforepolling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is held in the state,police said.MLA Bheema Mandavi and the four others were killed as Naxals targeted agroup of BJP leaders travelling in a convoy in Dantewada district, policesaid.
Visuals from the blast site showed the mangled remains of the vehicle and agaping hole on the road on which it passed before Naxals blew it up.Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel spoke to the DG anti-Naxaloperations, an official said.
Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said, “I am in contact with Centralministers and spoke to PM Narendra Modi an hour ago. I will go to Dantewadaand meet families of the deceased.”The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the MLA’s convoy was headingtowards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area, about 450 km from state capital Raipur.
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The convoy was travelling between Kuakonta and Shyamgiri in Dantewada whenit was targeted by the Naxals.The Naxals blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire atthe occupants, police said.
