RaipurHemchand Majhi, a tribal Ayurvedic practitioner and Padma Shri awardee from Abjumad in Bastar in Chhattisgarh, has threatened to give back the honour if he is not given “adequate” security after it emerged he was on the Maoist “death list”.
‘Vaidyaraj’ Majhi, 72, a well-known practitioner of traditional medicine in the area, received life threats from Naxals for not opposing mining activities in the area.
Maoists have threatened to kill him at least six times if he does not speak out against mining activities in the area, and local police have transferred him from Chote Dongar village in the district to Narayanpur district headquarters.
Chhote Dongar is considered the gateway to Abu Jhummad, a Naxal stronghold.
“Following threats from the Maoists, Majhi was transferred to the district headquarters six months ago and given Y-plus category security,” Narayanpur district police commissioner Prabhat Kumar told this newspaper on Monday, adding that Majhi’s security is provided by three personal security officers (PSOs).
In addition, a contingent of 40 District Reserve Guard (DRG) guards Majhi whenever he travels outside the village or district. But Kumar said the threats against Majhi were just a propaganda stunt by the Maoists. He said a mine was planned to open in the nearby area and the Maoists had appealed to people to protest.
“The Maoists have issued threats to 15 prominent people from the area who have no connection to the issue, including Majhi. This is Maoist propaganda (to raise profile),” he added. Kumar said all 15 have been shifted to the district headquarters and are being provided with necessary security. Majhi, however, wants to return to his village to resume treating patients.
Majhi has developed expertise on medicinal plants found in Abu Jhummad forest and has been practicing traditional medicine for the past 50 years.
