DD Cameraman From Odisha Killed In Maoist Attack In Chhattisgarh

Dantewada/Odisha: The cameraman of national broadcaster Doordarshan killed in a Maoist attack in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday has been identified as Achyutananda Sahu of Odisha’s Balangir district.

A native of Ghusuramunda village of Loisingha block in Balangir district, Sahu had initially joined the Indian Army. After serving for some years in the Army, he had obtained voluntary retirement and studied at the Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institute of Odisha in Cuttack and later joined as a cameraman in the Doordarshan in 2013.

He had married in 2016.

Mourining the death of its cameraperson, the Doordarshan tweeted, “#DDNews had deputed team to cover #Chhattisgarhpolls, comprising of Camera person-Achyuta Nanda Sahu, Dheeraj Kumar and MM Sharma. In a #Naxal attack AchyutaNandaSahu was martyred. The entire #DDNnews Family salutes his service and stands by his family in this hour of grief.”

Besides announcing an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh to the next of the keen of the cameraman, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has announced that his wife would be provided a job in Doordarshan.

Two policemen were also killed and as many injured in the attack that took place in the forests of Aranpur in Dantewada.

The Doordarshan team was in the Maoist-affected region for the election coverage. Chhattisgarh is going to polls in two phases, November 12 and November 20.

“Our party had gone to the area for patrolling. The Doordarshan crew was with them,” P Sunder Raj, DIG, Naxal Operation, told NDTV.

Three days ago, four CRPF jawans had died after Maoists blew up their anti-landmine vehicle in Bijapur district of the neighbouring state.