In Chhattisgarh’s Mohla-Mapnur-Ambagarh Chowki district, a 25-year-old school teacher, Ramlal Nureti, has been arrested for alleged involvement as a Maoist supporter. The arrest has sparked outrage among villagers, including school children, leading to a protest staged in front of a local police station, demanding his release.

Nureti, a resident of Mahka village under the Sitagaon police station area, works as a guest teacher on a contractual basis at the government primary school in Karekatta village. The arrest stems from his alleged role in putting up Maoist banners and posters in the Madanwada area in September of the previous year.

Following the recovery of Maoist materials on September 15, 2023, which urged observance of the 19th anniversary of the banned movement, investigations pointed to Nureti’s involvement. The police, equipped with technical evidence, kept a close watch on him before apprehending him.

During questioning, Nureti initially attempted to mislead the police but eventually confessed to his involvement in placing Maoist posters and banners. Subsequently, he was arrested under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2005 and presented before a local court. He has now been sent to the Rajnandgaon district jail.

The arrest prompted villagers to stage a sit-in protest in front of the Sitagaon police station, with demands for Nureti’s release. Protesters argue that he is a school teacher, not a Naxalite, and dispute the circumstances of his arrest without a thorough investigation.

The protest escalated as school children joined the demonstration, leading to the blockage of Manpur-Aundhi and Madanwada-Sitagaon roads using tractors. The scene is tense, with a substantial police presence deployed at the protest site to manage the situation. The villagers remain steadfast in their demonstration until Nureti’s release, highlighting the contentious nature of the arrest and the concerns raised by the local community.