During a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Tuesday, a Doordarshan’s assistant cameraman Mormukut Sharma recorded an ‘emotional message’ for his mother.
In an unverified video clip shared by Union Minister Smriti Irani on Twitter, cameraman Mormukut Sharma is seen saying “I may be killed in this attack, but, Mummy, I love you.” Retweeting the video, Minister Smriti Irani said, “Exemplary courage, dedication?words fail to describe the fearlessness shown under fire. My tributes. Condolences to loved ones.”
Notably, a Doordarshan crew was attacked by Naxals in Aranpur area of Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada. Sharma and another journalist Dhiraj Kumar survived the Maoist attack, but their cameraperson Achyutanand Sahu was killed. They had arrived in the state for the coverage of next month’s assembly elections. Two policemen were also killed and two other security personnel were injured after Naxals attacked them.
Deputy Inspector General Sundarraj P told news agency PTI that the incident took place when a squad of local police was carrying out patrolling on motorcycles from Sameli camp towards Nilawaya.
Importantly, the Naxals have called upon voters to boycott the Assembly polls in the state, which has 90 seats. The first phase of polls covering 18 constituencies of eight Maoist-affected districts — Bastar, Kanker Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Rajnandgaon will be held on November 12. The remaining 72 constituencies will witness polling on November 20. The counting of votes will be held on December 11.
Also Read: Chhattisgarh: Naxal attacks Doordarshan crew in Dantewada; cameraman killed