Following a violent attack on a police team by members of the tribal community in Madhya Pradesh’s Mauganj district, which resulted in the death of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ramcharan Gautam and injuries to other officials, law enforcement authorities took swift action. Police arrested six individuals and intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other attackers involved in the incident.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav directed the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana to assess the situation firsthand, prompting Makwana to fly to the neighboring Rewa district.
The Chief Minister also ordered strict action against those responsible for the attack. In response to the escalating tensions, police launched an extensive combing operation in Gadra village, located approximately 25 kilometers from Mauganj, leading to the arrest of six suspects.
The violence erupted following allegations by members of the Kol tribe, who accused a man named Sunny Dwivedi of being responsible for the death of a tribal individual, Ashok Kumar, several months ago. Despite police records indicating that Kumar had died in a road accident, the Kol community held Dwivedi accountable and abducted him.
When law enforcement authorities were alerted about the abduction, a team led by Shahpur Police Station House Officer Sandeep Bhartiya was immediately dispatched to Gadra village to rescue him. However, by the time the police arrived, Dwivedi had already been beaten to death.
As officers attempted to intervene and access the room where he had been held, they were met with a violent assault by the mob, armed with sticks and stones.
During the clash, ASI Ramcharan Gautam, who was part of the Special Armed Force, sustained severe injuries. He was rushed for medical treatment but later succumbed to his wounds. Several other police personnel were also injured in the attack and were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
In an effort to disperse the aggressive mob and ensure the safety of their team, the police were forced to fire warning shots into the air.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Yadav announced that the late ASI Gautam would be honored as a martyr, having died in the line of duty. His family was assured of financial assistance amounting to Rs 1 crore, and one of his eligible family members will be provided with a government job.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government's unwavering support for the police force, emphasizing the need for stringent action against those involved in the brutal incident.
The situation in Gadra remained tense but was brought under control with heavy deployment of police personnel. Authorities also imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, a legal provision aimed at maintaining public order and preventing disturbances.
Meanwhile, police continued efforts to identify and apprehend more suspects linked to the attack. Rewa Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Saket Pandey confirmed the arrest of six individuals and assured that a thorough investigation was underway to track down the remaining perpetrators.
In a related development, Rewa Division Commissioner BS Jamod provided an update on the injured personnel, stating that seven officials and government employees had sustained injuries during the violence and were receiving medical treatment at different hospitals.
Among them, a tehsildar and a police sub-inspector, both of whom suffered head injuries and fractures, were being treated at Rewa’s Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital. Five other policemen were admitted to Mauganj district hospital, and their conditions were reported to be stable.
DGP Kailash Makwana arrived in Rewa in the afternoon, where he held high-level discussions with senior officials regarding the security situation. He also visited the injured tehsildar and sub-inspector at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital before proceeding to Mauganj to oversee law enforcement operations.
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Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Yadav, who also oversees the home department, informed the media that he had directed senior officials to take immediate measures to restore normalcy in the region. Expressing his deep concern over the “inhuman and unfortunate” incident, he stressed that strict action would be taken against the culprits.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to standing by its security forces and ensuring justice for the slain officer’s family.
Mauganj BJP MLA Pradeep Patel attributed the worsening law and order situation to the growing influence of individuals involved in the illegal drug trade, calling for urgent interventions to curb such activities. Meanwhile, the opposition Congress party strongly criticized the state government, alleging a complete breakdown of law and order in Madhya Pradesh.
State Congress unit chief Jitu Patwari highlighted a series of recent attacks on police personnel, stating that law enforcement officers had been targeted in at least five different locations over the past couple of days.
In a solemn tribute, the last rites of ASI Ramcharan Gautam were performed in his native village of Gulua Pawaiya in Satna district, as his family and colleagues mourned the loss of a dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Also Read: Tribal man killed in MP anti-Naxal Op; Cong demands probe
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