Bastar (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 4 (HBTV): The search for a Bijapur-based journalist who had been missing since January 1 ended tragically when his body was discovered in a septic tank on the premises of a private contractor in the district on Friday, police reported.

The journalist, identified as Mukesh Chandrakar, was actively covering Naxal-related incidents and was brutally murdered before being dumped in the septic tank.

'Chandrakar, who was associated with a news channel, had been missing since January 1, and a complaint in this connection was lodged by his brother,' said Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P.

Following the complaint, the police launched a search operation and constituted a special investigation team.

During the investigation, authorities received a tip-off about a dead body in a septic tank on the premises of private contractor Suresh Chandrakar. 'The body was recovered and identified as that of the missing journalist,' said IG Sundarraj. He added that a forensic examination is underway and a few suspects are being questioned.

'We have launched a probe into the matter. The motive and modus operandi will become clearer only after the investigation,' the IG stated.

Mukesh Chandrakar was known for his reporting on Naxal incidents, encounters, and related issues in the Bastar region. Notably, he played a key role as an interlocutor in the release of a CRPF constable abducted by Naxals in Bijapur in 2021. Recently, he had also reported on alleged corruption in road construction projects.

State Congress President Deepak Baij condemned the murder, stating, 'Journalists in Chhattisgarh are not safe and are becoming victims of the deteriorating law and order situation. Journalists are paying the price for transparent reporting.'

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over Chandrakar's death, calling it an irreparable loss to journalism and society.

'The news of the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, a young and dedicated journalist from Bijapur, is extremely sad and heartbreaking. His demise is an irreparable loss to the journalism world and society,' CM Sai wrote in a post on X.

He further assured that the culprits would face strict action. 'We have instructed that the perpetrators be arrested as soon as possible and given the strictest punishment,' he added.

(ANI)