Balaghat Transport Minister pleads for life as Naxalites kill him:Called villagers to confirm identity, asked, ‘Is he Likhiram Kanwre?’; celebrate after murder

On a freezing winter night, November 15, 1999, silence prevailed across Sonpuri village, located 35 km from the Balaghat district headquarters. As residents slept inside their homes, death struck without warning. Taking advantage of the darkness, 10–12 armed Naxalites entered the village and targeted Likhiram Kanware, the then Transport Minister of Madhya Pradesh and the region’s most influential leader. He was brutally murdered outside his own house, a crime that left his family shattered and sent shockwaves across the state. Even today, as the Madhya Pradesh government claims the state is Naxal-free, the wounds of that night remain. The main accused, Naxal commander Suraj Tekam, identified as the killer in the trial court verdict, is still absconding. While the district court convicted the Naxalites, the CBI’s case failed to hold in the High Court due to lack of evidence. Read the report of MP’s most horrific Naxal incident Horrific night The events unfolded like a horror film. The Naxalites first knocked on one door. When it opened, they asked for a name but realised they had entered the room of Likhanram Kanwre, elder brother of Minister Likhiram Kanwre. Realising the mistake, they pushed him back inside and bolted the door from the outside. They then moved to the next room. As the latch was rattled and the door opened, armed men barged in. Before Likhiram Kanwre, jolted awake from deep sleep, could react, his hands were tied behind his back. He was dragged out of the house and brought to the middle of the road. Made villagers identify him and slit his throat The Naxalites woke neighbours and, flashing a torch on Kanwre’s face, asked, ‘Who is this? Is this Transport Minister Likhiram Kanwre?’ Begging for his life, Kanwre pleaded, ‘I will give you whatever you want, just leave me.’ But there was no mercy. As soon as villagers confirmed his identity, a Naxalite struck his neck with an axe. Blood spurted, and Kanwre collapsed. Shouting slogans like ‘Likhi Ram Kanwre Murdabad… Comrades Zindabad,’ the attackers vanished into the darkness. By morning, his body lay outside the house—an incident later described as the most horrific and audacious Naxalite attack in Madhya Pradesh’s history. Staying at home instead of circuit house proved costly Pawan Kanwre, the minister’s elder son and now a High Court advocate, recalls, I was in Class 3. On December 15, father had a programme in Savari village, Lanji. He was supposed to stay at the Circuit House but chose to come to our ancestral village Sonpuri. He further says their house was a small mud house and whenever his father stayed in the village, he sent staff, gunman and driver to the Circuit House. ‘That night too, there was no security at home.’ Pawan later learned that the Naxalites intended to burn the house. ‘But when they found my father at home, they decided to kill him. At that time, a major anti-Naxal operation was underway in Andhra Pradesh—perhaps he was targeted in revenge.’ Night of terror and morning drowned in sobs Pushpalata Kanwre: ‘All night I felt something was wrong’ Recalling the night, Pushpalata Kanwre said, I had a terrible dream. I saw his hands tied and someone hitting him. The family was in Bhopal, where all three children studied. They were informed that Kanwre had met with an accident and asked to leave immediately. She was flown by helicopter to Kirnapur. When I landed, I saw a massive crowd. Passing the hospital, I knew something very serious had happened. ‘He was forcibly dragged out’ She added, I couldn’t sleep. Around midnight, I told my mother-in-law it felt like we would have to leave by helicopter. I felt people were taking him away.” Later she learned his hands and feet were tied and that he had pleaded, “I’ll give you anything, just leave me. Mutton–chicken party 10 km away after murder Well-planned conspiracy and incomplete justice Minister Likhiram Kanwre’s murder was not a sudden act but a carefully planned conspiracy. The probe was later handed over to the CBI. Although the district court convicted and sentenced some Naxalites, the CBI’s case did not stand in the High Court due to lack of evidence, resulting in acquittals. The main accused, Naxal commander Suraj Tekam, is still absconding, and justice remains elusive even today. Political legacy and family’s struggle After Likhiram Kanwre’s death, his wife Pushplata Kanwre won the by-election on a Congress ticket and became MLA. Later, his daughter Hina Kanwre carried forward his political legacy, winning repeatedly from the same seat. During the Kamal Nath government, Hina Kanwre also served as Deputy Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This is not just the story of a leader’s assassination, but of the deep scars Naxalism has left on Madhya Pradesh. It reflects the lifelong pain of a family that lost everything and is still waiting for justice. Though 26 years have passed since that night in Sonpuri, its terrifying memories remain etched in the minds of the villagers and the Kanwre family.