Last Rites Of DD Cameraman Performed At His Native Place In Odisha

Balangir: The last rites of Doordarshan cameraman Achyutananda Sahu, who was killed in a Maoist attack in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, were performed at his native place, Ghushuramunda village of Loisingha block in Balangair district on Wednesday.

His mortal remains were brought to the village from Raipur this morning and the rituals conducted in the presence of family members, friends and relatives.

DD News Director Krupashankar said, “They had gone for election coverage with the security forces. They were suddenly attacked by the Maoists and were not traceable. Our team was out of mobile network. It is a sad news for media fraternity.”

Besides, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, DD crew members and all the district officials were present at his native place.

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

Achyutananda 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.

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.