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| India-Pakistan |
| Maoists blow up 50 tribals in India |
| 2006-02-28 |
| In the worst ever attack by Maoists, at least 50 people were feared killed and over a hundred others injured in a landmine blast detonated by the Left extremists near Darbhagura village on Sukma Konta road of Dantewada district on Tuesday morning. The attack took place more than 500 km from Chhattisgarh's capital, Raipur, on the State's border with Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Raman Singh said one vehicle was blown up in the blast while the Maoists opened fire on a bus and truck in which people were returning after attending a salwa judum (peace march) meeting in Dornapal. He said though the toll was likely to go up, till Tuesday afternoon there was information about the death of 25 people. He said 38 people were injured. Unconfirmed reports, however, said more than 50 people were killed. About 15,000 people are said to have attended the salwa judum meeting. While a military helicopter was called in to evacuate the injured to Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh, additional security forces, along with commandos, were sent to the spot. "Our first priority is to evacuate the people and provide medical assistance," Mr Raman Singh said before leaving for the spot along with Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam and DGP RP Rathod. The Chief Minister said he had earlier pointed out that people should go on foot and cycle in the Maoist-infested areas. "Such incidents are due to carelessness," he added. Asked if it was a setback to the ongoing salwa judum, Mr Singh said that the march against Left extremism would not be stopped. However, he added that the strategy would be reviewed in view of the latest incident. The issue was raised in the ongoing Assembly session. A statement about the incident was given by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Chandrakar. After paying condolence to the deceased, the Assembly was adjourned till Wednesday. Interestingly, Congress seemed to be divided over the issue of salwa judum. While Leader of Opposition Mahendra Karma, who is known as the hero of salwa judum, described the incident as an act of desperation, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ajit Jogi held the State Government responsible for the violence. He alleged that the tribals were being used as security cover in the name of salwa judum by the Government and police. He said the salwa judum in its present form was not correct and that before going ahead with the meeting, proper protection to the people should be ensured. Meanwhile, Mr Singh, after visiting the spot, denied reports of kidnapping by the Maoists. He said that the Maoists were resorting to violence because the people had challenged them. Besides, the Government is taking all possible measures against them. "Maoists are reacting here because they are being challenged by the people and the Government is taking action," Mr Singh told The Pioneer over telephone. "How can the problem be solved if only Chhattisgarh takes action against the Maoists and other affected States remain reluctant?" he asked. The problem can be solved if all affected States adopt a joint action plan against the Maoists, he added. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next-of-kin of the deceased has been announced. |
| Posted by:john |
| #1 You don't challenge Commies - you appease them and make unilateral concessions, like one does for any rampaging horde, warlord, bandit-slavers, etal. OOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSS, NOT a HORDE or MAFIA or TRIAD, but "COUNCIL" or "LEADERSHIP GROUP"!? |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2006-02-28 21:09 |