First, in Chhattisgarh, a BJP MLA was among those killed when his convoy was targeted in the Bastar region. Then, 16 persons including 15 commandos and a driver, were killed in the IED blast in Maharashtra.
These were apart from other attacks by Maoists in this period. However, the killings of security personnel that are otherwise played in media, didn't evoke much response on these occasions. Just a few months ago, deaths of CRPF personnel in Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir) prompted nationwide anger.
In the case of Kashmir, TV channels just didn't let the incident go and kept showing the visuals for days and nights, until there was such outrage that across India, people took out rallies. In almost every city and town, youngsters came out on streets.
This also led to attacks on Kashmiris. What was the fault of Kashmiris living in other cities or hostels or students, traders in Meerut or Lucknow? But when the Maoists set off blasts in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, TV channels didn't have much time.
These incidents were not given focus though Pulwama had seen nonstop coverage. In the case of Naxal attacks, there was no report about identity of killers and there were no discussions. The focus remained on Lok Sabha elections.
Neither reporters talked about last rites of martyrs or cared about the compensation or how bodies reached the homes. This is strange. In case of Maoist terror, there is no seriousness and unfortunately for TV channels -newspapers it is just another attack.
LINKS:
1. No end to terrorism as Maoists kill 16 in terror attack in Maharashtra. CLICK
2. BJP legislator, security personnel killed in terror attack in Chhattisgarh. CLICK
