Incident Summary:

04/10/2011: On Sunday, in Baresand village in Latehar, Jharkhand, India, unidentified militants kidnapped two villagers, Harbar Singh and Chetu Singh. On 04/12/2011 a Kangaroo Court was convened in the forest in which the villagers were shot and killed. The bodies also bore cuts by unknown sharp weapons. The Communist Party of India-Maoists (CPI-M) claimed responsibility for the killing through a note left near the bodies. They accused the duo of being brokers and indulging in theft.

GTD ID:
201104100009

When:
2011-04-10

Country:
India

Region:
South Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Jharkhand

City:
Near Latehar district

Location Details:
The attack took place in Baresand village in Latehar.

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Kidnapping)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity
Specific Description Two villagers, Harbar Singh and Chetu Singh,
Nationality of Target India
Additional Information
Hostages Yes
Number of Hostages 2
US Hostages 0
Days of Kidnapping 2
Outcome Hostage(s) killed (not during rescue attempt)
Property Damage No
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Melee Knife or Other Sharp Object
Weapon Details
Unknown firearms and unknown sharp weapons were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Communist Party of India - Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Note left at scene)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 2 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 2
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
Press Trust of India, “Maoists Kill Two Persons at 'Kangaroo Court' in Latehar," LexisNexis Academic, Press Trust of India, April 12, 2011.
South Asia Terrorism Portal, "Maoists Kill Two Persons at Their Kangaroo Court in Jharkhand," IBN Live, http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailsmall_news.asp?date1=4/13/2011&id=3 (April 12, 2011).
Telegraph, “Two Villagers 'Tried', Killed by Maoists,” LexisNexis Academic, Telegraph, April 12, 2011.