Chhattisgarh Bharatiya Janata Party president Ram Sevak Paikre’s remark, that a farmer himself is responsible if he ends his life, on Saturday sparked controversy here with the Opposition Congress taking strong exception to the “insensitive” observation.

Several Hindu religious leaders here on Thursday criticised saffron clad Swami Agnivesh for entering Bigg Boss, dubbing his action as a publicity stunt to draw media attention.

The Chhattisgarh police has begun a probe into Maoists’ alleged China-link following recent seizure of a Chinese weapon during an encounter with Naxals in Bijapur district in the state.

Three CRPF jawans were killed and as many injured when Maoist guerrillas carried out another ambush on a patrol party at Bhejji in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Saturday morning.