BHADRACHALAM (Andhra Pradesh): At least 27 tribal activists of `Salva Judum' that calls itself a peace rally were killed and 40 others injured in a major offensive launched by CPI (Maoist) cadre on Erraboru base camp in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh in the early hours of Monday. The naxalites also kidnapped 28 others, including women.

They razed to the ground all the 120 houses built by the administration for sheltering the `Salva Judum' activists, who have been spearheading the anti-Maoist campaign in the Bastar region under the leadership of Congress leader Mahendra Karma. Some of the tribals were burnt alive as the Maoists set fire to the camp. Youth who attempted to flee were either shot or hacked to death.

400 militants join attack

According to information reaching here, the carnage was led by the Dandakaranya military platoon of the Maoists headed by Gajerla Ashok alias Aitha. The platoon was accompanied by about 400 militants — all loyalist Gothikoyas from the forest villages along the inter-State border with Andhra Pradesh. Police said that about 100 of them carried firearms.

Siege of CRPF camps

Before launching their attack on the camp, the naxalites laid siege to the nearby camps of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and confined the three platoons of police to their base. One company of the CRPF Naga Battalion was stationed just 10 kilometres away from the place but the naxalites blocked the road preventing any reinforcement.

Death toll may rise

Police said the death toll may rise since some of the injured are in a critical condition. The fate of those who were kidnapped by the Maoists was also uncertain. They were all dragged away at gunpoint into the forests abutting the Kunta-Bijapur highway. The police and the local officials could reach the camp only in the morning. A group of school teachers, in-charge of the camp, shifted 17 of the injured to Bhadrachalm hospital in the evening. Four of them, whose condition was deteriorating, were shifted from Bhadrachalam to the Khammam district headquarters hospital.

PTI reports from Raipur:

Chhattisgarsh Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam, on his way to the area despite bad weather, said security forces were searching for the Maoists who carried out the attack.

The Government was in constant touch with the Centre and a military helicopter had been sought to evacuate the injured, Mr. Netam said.

Dantewada SP Om Prakash Pal reached the spot and police and the CRPF began search operations.After the starting of `Salwa Judum' or peace campaign against the naxalites on June 4 last, over 300 villagers have been killed by the Maoists.

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