Raipur : Armed Maoists murdered 30-year-old Shikshadoot Laxman Barse in Silger village, under Jagargunda police station, on Wednesday evening. Authorities said the attackers suspected Barse of acting as a police informer.
Barse, a native of Pegadapalli village, worked as a visiting teacher in Mandimarka village, bringing education to remote tribal areas affected by insurgency. Police reported that the assailants entered his home around 7.30 p.m., assaulted him in front of his family, and stabbed him fatally when relatives tried to intervene. The attackers also beat family members, leaving the household traumatized.
This brutal killing shocked the community, especially other Shikshadoots and educators working in conflict zones. Earlier this year, attackers killed two Shikshadoots in Bijapur and Dantewada under similar suspicions. Barse’s death raises urgent concerns about safety, education access, and morale for grassroots workers.
With this incident, the civilian toll from Maoist violence in Bastar has climbed to approximately 30 in 2025. Silger lies near the volatile Bijapur-Sukma border, a region long plagued by insurgent activity. Reports indicate that Barse received threats from Maoists prior to the attack, highlighting the precarious position of civilians caught between state initiatives and insurgent suspicion.
His murder not only silences a vital voice of education but also underscores the urgent need for better security measures and support systems for educators in high-risk areas. Police have launched an investigation and assured legal action is underway, but community members remain deeply concerned about ongoing violence.
Barse’s death reminds authorities and the public that the struggle for education and development in Maoist-affected regions continues amid grave risks. Ensuring the protection of Shikshadoots and other frontline educators remains a critical priority for sustaining progress in Bastar.
Also Read : Maoist Killed in Chaibasa Encounter, Police Seize SLR Rifle
