Chhattisgarh Journalist Santosh Kumar Toppo's Parents, Brother Hacked To Death In Surajpur Over Property Dispute

Surajpur (Chhattisgarh): A tragic property dispute in Chhattisgarh's Surajpur claimed the lives of the parents and brother of journalist Santosh Kumar Toppo. The violent attack occurred on Friday afternoon, leaving three members of the journalist's family killed. This incident follows the recent murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Bijapur district after exposing corruption.

Details On The Horrifying Attack

Santosh’s parents, Maghe Toppo (57) and Basanti Toppo (55), along with his brother, Naresh Toppo (30), were at their disputed farmland in the Jagannathpur area to begin farming. Around 1 pm, six to seven members of their extended family arrived and a heated argument ensued. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with the attackers using axes and sticks to assault Santosh’s family, as per reports.

Basanti and Naresh suffered fatal head injuries and died on the spot, while Maghe was critically injured. He was rushed to Ambikapur Medical College but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Santosh’s other brother, Umesh Toppo, managed to escape and alerted nearby villagers, as reported by India Today.

The disputed land had been a point of contention between the two families for months. The attackers had previously farmed the land, but a court ruling granted possession to Santosh’s family, further intensifying tensions. This simmering conflict ultimately led to the violent attack.

Police Probe Underway

Police were called to the scene and an investigation is underway. The accused fled immediately after the incident, and efforts to locate them are ongoing. Teams from Khargawa and Pratappur police stations are leading the probe. Santosh, who was not present during the attack, is now mourning the loss of his family members while seeking justice for the heinous act.