The Hindu : Front Page : Chhattisgarh situation to be reviewed

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Monday, Sep 05, 2005

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Chhattisgarh situation to be reviewed

Landmine blast death toll 24; Chhattisgarh may ban outfits

NEW DELHI: The Centre said on Sunday that it would make a comprehensive review of the situation in Chhattisgarh and decide on counter measures against naxalites. This comes in the wake of Saturday's landmine attack near Bijapur in which 24 security personnel, including 22 CRPF personnel, were killed.

``The Home Ministry will make a comprehensive review of the naxalite situation in Chhattisgarh with senior State Government officers and decide on appropriate counter measures,'' a spokesman said.

The Centre condemned Saturday's incident and conveyed its sympathies to the bereaved families.

High-level meeting

In Raipur, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh told PTI that his Government was considering imposing a ban on the group.

Twenty two personnel belonging to the 87th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force and two from the District Force of Bijapur Police travelling in an anti-landmine vehicle were killed in the blast near Padeda village, Mr. Singh said.

``The impact of the blast was so strong that the vehicle was blown to pieces,'' Mr. Singh said, adding that he had convened a high-level meeting to consider clamping a ban on the CPI (Maoist).

Three persons, including Commander B.K. Toppo, who were injured, have been airlifted to the State capital. All the bodies have been recovered.

To a question, Mr. Singh said the incident would not change his plan to visit the naxalite-affected area in the near future.

The `Salwa Judum' or the peace campaign by the villagers of Bijapur area and also the anti-naxalite operation by the police would continue, he said.

He also indicated that the State would ask for more para military forces from the Centre for anti-naxalite operations.

Condemning the attack, Mr. Singh said: ``Violence has no place in a democracy and if there is a change in the country then that will be through the ballot and not the bullet.''

Villagers' campaign

A report from Dantewada in Chhattisgarh said a new chapter was added to the history of the State as unarmed tribals came out openly against naxalites who have been active in the jungles of Bastar for nearly three decades.

Even after paying a price of 50 lives in only two months for opposing the Maoists, the villagers are showing courage to come out against the militants whom they hold responsible for the lack of development in Dantewada district of Bastar region.

``The people have left far behind the political leaders in this resistance campaign,'' said Dantewada Congress MLA and Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma, who is heading the campaign.

Director-General of Police Om Prakash Rathor said the naxalite attacks on villagers had turned the local tribals against the Maoists and it had been decided to provide all assistance to them in their fight against the militants.

The naxalites are opposing the construction of roads in the villages fearing that it would lead the police to their doorstep. The lack of roads and other amenities had angered the villagers, official sources said. — PTI

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