13 years after Maoists killed 27 in Chhattisgarh’s Jhiram Ghati, NIA court convicts 10

Thirteen years after a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh's Jhiram Ghati killed 27 people, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jagdalpur convicted all 10 accused on Saturday. The attack, on May 25, 2013, targeted Congress leadership and security personnel, with the Maoists primarily aiming to eliminate Mahendra Karma, who founded the anti-insurgency militia Salwa Judum.

Among the convicted are Pramila Modiyam, Chaitu Lekam, Sumita, Mukka Mandvi, Kosa Kavasi, Aayata Markam, Madkami Deva, Joga Madkami, Banjami Snna, and Mahadev Nag. Notable names, Thippiri Tirupathi, Barse Deva, and Ganesh Uikey, were not convicted as they either surrendered or were killed. The NIA took over the investigation two days after the attack and filed chargesheets in 2014 and 2015, with the trial lasting over a decade. The court's verdict, including sentencing, will be announced on September 16.