Reporters and journalists are considered to be messengers of information. They can go to any lengths to show us what the rest of the world or even the Government isn’t telling us. And that’s why they’re regarded for their bravery, efficiency and willingness to unearth the truth. However, certain Maoist factions in our country didn’t share that sentiment and opened fire on them.
According to NDTV, in a Maoist attack in Dantewada, Chattisgarh, two policemen and a Doordarshan cameraperson were killed. P. Sunder Raj, DIG, Naxal Operation, said,
Doordarshan crew attacked by Naxals in Dantewada's Aranpur. More details awaited. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/rAJBEGoy0H
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2018
“Our party had gone to the area for patrolling. The Doordarshan crew was with them.”
The three-member team Doordarshan team was in the Maoist-affected are for election coverage. The state police said that the attacks, however, were done to oppose a road construction project. Sundarraj P., senior police officer in charge of anti-Naxal operations said,
“Those killed were identified as Sub Inspector Rudra Pratap, Assistant Constable Mangalu and DD News cameraman Achyutanand Sahu from Delhi.”
The two other Doordarshan crew member, including a journalist from Delhi, were reported to be safe. However, in the face of death, assistant cameraperson Mormukt Sharma had recorded a heartbreaking message for his mother.
As the Police and Doordarshan team came under attack from Naxals, DD assistant cameraman recorded a message for his mother. pic.twitter.com/DwpjsT3klt
— Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) October 31, 2018
“Ek raaste se jaa rahe the. Army hamare saath thi. Achanak gher liya Naxaliyon ne. Mummy agar main jivit nahi bacha [inaudible], Mummy main tujhe bohut pyaar karta hu. Ho sakta hai main iss hamle mein maara jau. Pata nahi kyu maut ko samne dekhte hue darr nahi lag raha hai. Bachna mushkil hai yaha par. 6-7 jawaan hai saath mein. Chaaron taraf se gher liye hai.”
English translation: We were growing through a road. The army was with us. Suddenly, we were ambushed by Naxals. Mummy, if I don’t get out of here alive, I want you to know that I love you very much. Maybe I will die here. But I don’t know why I’m not afraid of death, even if I’m staring right at it. Surviving this is difficult. 6-7 jawans are still with us. We’ve been surrounded.
The gut-wrenching video has gone viral and netizens have lauded his bravery, despite being in a war zone.
1. True that.
This is heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. Maoists are no revolutionaries but terrorists. Their power is shrinking, but a much more ruthless push is needed to end the menace. https://t.co/bmteX5cRen
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 31, 2018
2. It is indeed.
Heartbreaking .. https://t.co/fvofnwaIro
— Vinod Kapri (@vinodkapri) October 31, 2018
3. We should be emulating their courage.
Exemplary courage, dedication🙏words fail to describe the fearlessness shown under fire. My tributes. Condolences to loved ones. https://t.co/79k1FSBxkr
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 31, 2018
4. All of us can learn something from him.
THIS is a true hero of India! Hats off to this KarmaYoddha's kartavyanishtha and courage!!! https://t.co/Y5IHuyl39Q
— Anuraag Saxena (@anuraag_saxena) October 31, 2018
5. That’s a sign of his bravery.
Shocked to see how calm he stayed in the face of near death. https://t.co/zPFrzahiiN
— Poulomi Saha (@PoulomiMSaha) October 31, 2018
7. Maybe this will urge the government to take stricter action.
This is how Maoists target innocent civilians and professionals under pretext of fighting against ‘State oppression’. Hats off to the brave cameraman who kept his nerve in the tragic circumstances https://t.co/JpvPhT4xJ5
— Bharti Jain (@bhartijainTOI) October 31, 2018
After this incident, security forces have been tightened and are keeping high vigilance in the neighbouring areas of the attack. Additionally, extra forces will be deployed in Dantewada and Bijapur. As of now, 111 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers have been sent to the area for evacuation and reinforcement.