In March last year, the residents of Gampur village in Chhattisgarh dug a pit to make a “protective space” to preserve the body of 22 yo Badru Madvi.
He was killed in a “joint operation” by the Central and state reserve forces. | @sukanyashantha
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
He was killed in a “joint operation” by the Central and state reserve forces. | @sukanyashantha
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha Embalmed in salt, oil and various medicinal herbs, the villagers had unanimously decided to preserve Badru’s body.
Much of his remains have now decomposed, leaving behind just a weary skeleton wrapped in soiled clothes.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
Much of his remains have now decomposed, leaving behind just a weary skeleton wrapped in soiled clothes.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha On March 19, 2020, at 6.30 am, Badru had left home to collect the seasonal mahua flowers.
A little after 7 am, villagers heard a loud thud.
Badru was shot dead, just a few metres away from his home.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
A little after 7 am, villagers heard a loud thud.
Badru was shot dead, just a few metres away from his home.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha The state claimed it was a “joint operation” carried out by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG).
Badru was declared a “Jan Militia Commander”.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
Badru was declared a “Jan Militia Commander”.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha He was found in possession of a bharmar (country pistol), a ‘tiffin bomb’ and a cache of sophisticated arms.
His family and other villagers, however, fervently refute this allegation.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
His family and other villagers, however, fervently refute this allegation.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha When Badru was shot, he was not alone. His teenage cousin, Sanu, had joined him to fetch flowers that morning.
When the security forces opened fine, Sanu says, he just about managed to save himself.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
When the security forces opened fine, Sanu says, he just about managed to save himself.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha Sanu fled back and reported the incident to his family. Kosi, their aunt, rushed out within minutes.
“Even before we could reach the spot, I saw that they had bundled Badru up and were dragging his body away," she says.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
“Even before we could reach the spot, I saw that they had bundled Badru up and were dragging his body away," she says.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha "I chased them from Madvipara to Vengpal (a village seven kilometres away) demanding that the body be left behind. They hit me with a pistol butt,” Kosi says.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha Badru’s body was taken to Dantewada district hospital, where a post-mortem was carried out.
The autopsy report, the villagers claim, was not made available even after much persuasion.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
The autopsy report, the villagers claim, was not made available even after much persuasion.
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
@sukanyashantha This is not the first instance of an extrajudicial killing in the village, they say; and they fear this won’t be the last either.
Read the rest of @sukanyashantha's report here:
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
Read the rest of @sukanyashantha's report here:
thewire.in/rights/bastar-…
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