Karma was reportedly shot in cold blood by Maoists

Tribal Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who organised the anti-Naxalite "Salwa Judum" movement in Chhattisgarh, was reportedly shot dead in cold blood in Saturday's Maoist attack in a forested area of Jagdalpur in the state's Sukma District.

Suspected Maoists had the strategic advantage of surprise and location when they launched their attack in a deeply forested area of the Dharba Valley of Sukma District.

Media reports said that it was a meticulously planned assault.

Reports said the attackers first triggered a landmine blast on the narrow two-lane highway near the Keshkal Falls situated between Jagdalpur and Sukma, and then rained bullets on the Congress convoy from a height.

The land-mine blast was aimed at the second vehicle in the convoy blocking the route. The Maoists then opened fire from the adjoining hill tops of the Keshkal Hills.

Although the security forces fired back, they soon exhausted their ammunition and were cornered. The Maoists then pulled out Karma from his vehicle and killed him at point blank range.

Eyewitnesses said that the Maoists also seized the mobile phones of all Congress leaders before escaping from the scene of their attack.

Former Border Security Force Director General E.N. Rammohan, described the Maoist ambush as unfortunate.

"The whole area should have been sanitized before VIP movement. Only once the route is cleared, the convoy should move. They should have been sent well ahead of the convoy," Rammohan said.

"The government should ask why civilians took up arms. If the government finds that they have done something wrong, it should be rectified. The caste system is one of the reasons behind civilians taking up arms. The government has failed to protect the civilians. Lower caste people don't own land in many states. The Adivasis has been pushed back to the forest by the people," he added.

Karma had survived an assassination attempt last year, and had Z plus security.