Naxal Attack: Why Kawasi Lakma Spared?

Not only the BJP, but also the Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh are asking this question – why and how local MLA Kawasi Lakma was spared by the Maoists even if they killed 30 people, including senior leader Mahendra Karma, PCC President Nanda Kumar Patel and former MLA Uday Mudliyar and injured veteran leader Vidya Charan Shukla in the ghastly attack of May 25.

The survivors of the naxal attack, have openly questioned Lakma’s escape, saying his role in the entire massacre should be probed. Lakma was with Nand Kumar Patel in the same car when the attack took place. According to him, the Maoists took Patel and his son away while sparing him. However, he failed to give a reason why the Maoists left him unharmed even if it’s clear that they knew him as the local MLA.

Lakma sustained minor injuries in the attack. There were allegations that a local Congress leader changed the route of the Congress convoy at the last minute, leading to the disaster. If the route was indeed changed, then the attack could be an insider’s job, it is believed.

Former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi has denied the allegations against Kawasi Lakma, but with his own partymen seeking a probe into Lakma’s role, the MLA is under the scanner and need to answer many questions in the days to come.