Sharmili Mallick

Bhubaneswar: The mortal remains of Doordarshan video journalist from Odisha, Achutyananda Sahu, who was martyred in the Naxal attack at Dantewada of Chhatisgarh along with two other policemen yesterday, was consigned to flames at his native Ghusuramunda village of Bolangir district today.

Achyutnanda was accorded a guard of honour before his elder brother conducted the last rites.

“The body of Achyutananda was brought to Ghusuramunda with the co-operation of Odisha and Chhattisgarh government. We participated in the funeral ceremony and accorded a guard of honour to Achyutananda Sahu from the Odisha police,” informed Bolangir SP K. Subramani.

Earlier in the day, after the body of 34-year-old Achutyananda was brought to the village, Achyutananda’s family, relatives, friends and hundreds of villagers participated in the adieu procession.

“His death has left us all dead. He was a courageous person and also served in the army earlier. If the Maoists had any demand, they should have negotiated with the concerned administration and government instead killing innocent persons, who are the bread earner of their families. No one will understand what I feel now, said Achutananda’s father.

“His sudden demise has left us all in shock. He can never be forgotten,” said one of his friends.

“The team was going to the village with the help of police when he died in the naxal attack midway. We received the information after 1 hour of the incident as the entire team was out of coverage then. They were in duty during the incident and this is really saddening for DD News as well as the entire media world,” said Krupashankar, Director of DD News who reached Ghusuramunda village to attend the last rites of Achyutananda today.

Earlier on Tuesday, Achyutananda was given guard of honour with the two other officials, Sub Inspector Rudra Pratap Singh and Assistant Constable Manglu at Dantewada.

Achyutananda was in Dantewada along with colleague reporter Dhiraj Kumar and lighting assistant Mormukut Sharma to cover Chhattisgarh elections.

Dantewada SP Abhishek Pallava informed that nearly 200 to 250 naxals attacked the media and police teams when they were on their way to a village which will go for polls for the first time after a gap of 20 years.

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