Jogis under lens in Naxal massacre

NEW DELHI: Theories suggesting a political conspiracy in the Darbha Ghati massacre, where Naxals killed 29 people from a Congress cavalcade have not yet been ruled out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which is investigating the attack. The agency has even put a 'padayatra' that former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi's son Amit Jogi embarked upon some three years ago in Bastar under scanner.

Since the attack, there have been various theories doing the rounds — ranging from rivalry within the Congress's state unit to the suspicious role of MLA Kawasi Lakhma precipitating the massacre. BJP leaders have gone on record to suggest Ajit Jogi's complicity in the attack as both the former Chhattisgarh CM and Lakhma are known to be close and survived the attack even as almost the entire top state leadership of Congress was wiped out. While Lakhma was part of the convoy, Jogi had taken a chopper ride.

Even though the agency has not found any evidence to back any of these theories as yet, it has kept the investigations open given the circumstances of the case. Sources say the agency is waiting for a big catch from among the Naxals to clear the air on the myriad theories.

"We have not ruled out anyone's involvement as yet. Be it Kawasi Lakhma or any other person from any party. We are even looking at the 'padyatra' Amit Jogi embarked upon in Bastar. Either he was very fortunate or there were some arrangements that saved his life. However, right now we are concentrating only on catching the culprits who led the attack," a senior NIA officer said.

"Once we have the leader, we will be able to unravel the truth. If at all there was a conspiracy, it must be known only to the senior members of the group that attacked the convoy," he added.

NIA recently questioned two alleged Naxals arrested by the Odisha Police in connection with the case. However, both are lower level functionaries who only provided logistical support to the 200 odd Naxals who attacked the convoy on May 25. "They have no knowledge of any conspiracy," said an NIA official.