An acclaimed Bastar journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar, 33, who went missing on New Year’s Day, was discovered murdered and dumped in a septic tank on the property of a road contractor in the insurgency-hit Bijapur district on Friday. Journalists have announced a total shutdown in Bijapur to demonstrate against the murder.
Mukesh, who worked as a contributor to several leading TV channels, including NDTV, was known for his analytical field reports from Bastar. He played a significant role in the release of a CoBRA commando kidnapped by Maoists after the Tekulguda massacre of April 2021, in which 29 security personnel were executed.
Mukesh lately reported on an alleged road construction scam in Bijapur, which led authorities to investigate some contractors. It’s speculated his murder is related to this report, police said.
The journalist went missing on Jan 1 after a call from a local contractor came. Mukesh called a journalist in Raipur to inform him about the call. He never responded to calls after that. When Mukesh didn’t return home, his brother Yugesh filed a police complaint.
“His last location was traced to the house of contractor Suresh Chandrakar at Chattanpara Basti. His body was recovered in a septic tank that was freshly covered with a concrete slab,” Bastar police stated.
The contractor is the first suspect, and teams are looking for him, said a cop. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai offered his condolences: “News of the murder of young and dedicated journalist Mukesh Chandrakar is heart-breaking. The culprit will not be spared.”
Bastar Journalist Association President Manish Gupta remarked it a “dark chapter.” Gupta said, “A journalist being targeted is a major safety concern for all of us. It’s a hardship to work in Bastar, and a journalist’s safety is the responsibility of police, government, and society. The roots of journalism ethics have been shaken today. He demanded strict action against those who committed the murder. Raipur Press Club members came together at JaiStambh Chowk on Friday night and demanded action against the murderers.
