HYDERABAD : Maoists owe an explanation to people on how the massacre of innocent tribals in Errabore formed part of the People's War they claim to wage against the Government, Leader of the Opposition in the Chhattisgarh Assembly and Salwa Judum architect, Mahendra Karma, said on Monday.

Speaking to The Hindu over telephone after visiting Errabore, where Maoists killed about 30 people and injured over 70 on Monday, Mr. Karma accused the BJP Government of failing to protect innocent tribals, who fled their hamlets fearing Maoist attack.

Mr. Karma, whose Salwa Judum movement attracted severe reprisal attacks from the Maoists, however, denied that the victims were his followers. "They are not Salwa Judum activists. They are tribals who fled the villages because of the atrocities by the Maoists. How can you call these children who are no more than 10 years or old people [among the killed] as activists?" he asked.

The Congress legislator from Dantewada alleged that the security forces deployed in the Bastar forest area had shirked responsibility of protecting the people. "They have been drafted for the security of people. If they cannot protect those who have taken shelter near the police camp, what is their responsibility and what are their priorities?"

He demanded that Chhattisgarh Home Minister Ramvichar Netam resign immediately, as he had failed to protect the tribals despite his being a tribal. "Maoists should fight the Government but not turn their ire on innocent people. " Non-governmental organisations and `so-called' intellectuals who supported the Maoist movement should also explain the "perverted People's War" waged by the Maoists. "Such ghastly violence is not perpetrated even in worst of communal flare-ups. They (Maoists) opened fire and hacked to death people who were rushing out of the burning houses. Those who got injured and rendered immobile had their throats slit. In what way, such cruelty can be justified ?"

Asked whether the Errabore incident would have an adverse impact on the Salwa Judum movement, Mr. Karma maintained that the anti-naxalite movement would continue."In fact, we will spread the movement to newer areas after the rainy season."

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