Woman's killing by Maoists sparks public protest

Tribals of Bijapur district observed shutdown, staged a blockade and downed shutters of  shops in protest against the killing of Kalawati, who was found murdered Tuesday at a forested area. The rebels had abducted her a week ago.

The killing led to protests against the Maoists in Bijapur town and Bhairamgarh areas.
Police said the rebels left a few leaflets at the site where her body was found. The leaflets said that Kalawati was killed as she failed to honour a dictate to persuade her son to give up the SPO's job.

The leaflet also accused the woman of acting as a police informer.This is perhaps the first time in recent months that people observed a strike and showed their anger against the Maoists who command control over interiors of Bijapur district.

The district, along with Dantewada, Bastar, Narayanpur and Kanker districts, forms the 40,000 square km Bastar region.

The mineral rich Bastar region is known as the nerve centre of Maoists who have ringed their hideouts in the region with  landmines for about three decades.