CM Sai removed Kawardha SP, DM after village arsoning

     Raipur, September 20, 2024: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today removed both the SP and Collector of Kawardha district a day before the state bandh by the Congress party.

     After arsoning in the Loharidih village, and subsequently police allegedly assaulting large number of villagers, main opposition Congress made it an issue and called for a Bandh of Chhattisgarh tomorrow.

     A day ahead of the Bandh, the Chief Minister today late evening removed the Kawardha SP Abhishek Pallav and Collector Janmejay Mahobe from the home district of Home Minister Vijay Sharma in Kawardha.

     Gopal Verma will be the new Collector of Kawardha whereas Rajesh Kumar Agrawal is made the new SP, replacing IPS Abhishek Pallav.

     Earlier Additional SP Vikash Kumar, who is said to be under training, is placed under suspension by the state government after the incident.

     After the death of Shiv Prasad Sahu on September 15 last in Loharidih village of Kawardha district there was arsoning incident, in which Raghunath Sahu was killed, a state government statement said.

     The Chief Minister has ordered a magistrate probe into the incident, the statement said.

     After allegation of police assault on villagers, the entire 23 staff of the Rengakhar Police Station, including the Inspector and the ASI have been removed from the police station, it added.

     Meanwhile Additional District Magistrate Nirbhay Kumar Sahu is appointed as the enquiry officer to probe the incident. He has been asked to submit his report within 30 days.

     However, Congress party, led by PCC President Deepak Baij and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, have alleged that on police assault one person has also died and his family members have been severely assaulted by the police.

     Removing SP and Collector are not enough, the Congress demands removal of Home Minister Vijay Sharma for the incident, Congress party demanded.