The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against a suspected Maoist operative, Ashu Korsa, in connection with the February 2024 killing of Indian Army jawan, Motiram Achala, in Chhattisgarh.
The chargesheet, filed before the NIA Special Court in Jagdalpur, accuses Korsa of being part of a premeditated Maoist plot aimed at spreading fear among locals and targeting security personnel.
Attack During Village Fair
Achala was shot dead on February 25, 2024, while attending a local fair in Useli village in the Amabeda area of Kanker district with his family. The investigation revealed that the ambush was not random but a deliberate act of terror executed by armed cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned extremist group.
Korsa has been charged under Section 302 read with 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – for murder and criminal conspiracy
Sections 16, 18, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) – relating to terrorism, recruitment, and providing support to a terrorist organisation
According to the NIA, Korsa played an instrumental role in identifying Achala and facilitating the attack. He is believed to be an active member of the Kuyemari Area Committee, part of the Maoists’ North Bastar Division.
Timeline Of Investigation
The case was initially handled by local police but was transferred to the NIA on February 29, 2024, due to its links with a banned terrorist group and its national security implications. Korsa was apprehended in December 2024, months after the incident, and has since been in custody.
Premeditated Plot Confirmed
Investigators allege that Korsa, along with a senior Maoist leader, identified Achala during the fair and executed the killing in broad daylight in a crowded marketplace. The motive was not only to eliminate a security force member but also to intimidate the local population.
Korsa provided handwriting samples and underwent interrogation, during which he reportedly remained uncooperative. The NIA believes that the attack was part of a larger Maoist campaign to assert dominance in the region.
Ongoing Probe
While the chargesheet against Korsa marks a crucial milestone, the NIA has clarified that the probe remains active. Additional arrests or revelations may follow as investigators pursue leads connected to the larger conspiracy.
The killing of Motiram Achala is one of several violent incidents attributed to CPI (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh, a state frequently targeted by Left-Wing Extremist groups. This prosecution is part of broader efforts by Indian authorities to dismantle Maoist networks and deliver justice in cases involving attacks on uniformed personnel.
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