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Chhattisgarh Police arrest nine Maoists

May 21, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh) May 21 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Police have arrested nine Maoists in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh.

According to police officer R K Patre, the Maoists were arrested on Wednesday and were presented before the court on Thursday.

Patre said the Maoists were identified during the intense police search.

“The Maoists had called for a shut down on 17th and 18th. During this period there was lot of searching being done, so three men were found in and two other men had hid near the bus stand,” Patre said.

The arrested Maoists are stated to be involved in several criminal activities.

Patre further spoke about the items that have been recovered from the arrested ultras.

“Electric, wires, detonators, pamphlets which the Maoists were using while they had called for a shutdown have been recovered,” Patre said.

Most of the arrested Maoists are said to be residents of Narayanpur city.

Chhattisgarh state has been a hot bed of Maoist activities in the recent past.

Seven personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed when suspected Maoist guerrillas triggered a landmine blowing up a convoy in Bijapur district of the state on May 8. (ANI)

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Government to discuss use of air power against Maoists: Antony

May 20, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 20 (ANI): Defence Minister A K Antony on Thursday said the government will thoroughly discuss the use of air power for fighting Maoists, and added that the decision would be binding on all, including the defence ministry.

“I will not entertain a public debate on this. The strategy is not to be debated in public. Government will discuss thoroughly, then ultimately government will take a decision. That decision will be binding on everybody, including the Ministry of Defence,” Antony said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh had said air power could not be used to attack the insurgents as it may result in major collateral damage.

Reacting to a question about the use of air strikes against the rebels, Singh said air power could not be used to attack the insurgents as it may result in major collateral damage. He, however, favoured the use of helicopters.

“As far as the use of helicopters is concerned, military helicopters can be used for rescue and relief. I don”t think anybody would have problems with that,” said Singh.

About 35 persons including policemen were killed when Maoist rebels detonated a landmine targeting a bus in Chhattisgarh”s Dantewada District on Monday (May 17), the second major attack in as many months.

The attack in the mineral-rich state was the worst since a brutal strike by Maoists in the same region in April, which killed at least 76 policemen. (ANI)

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Four CRPF personnel killed as Naxals trigger off landmine in West Bengal

May 19, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

West Midnapore (West Bengal), May 19 (ANI): At least four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were feared killed when suspected Maoists triggered off a landmine in West Bengal’s West Midnapore District on Wednesday.

Two other personnel were injured in the incident.

According to the CRPF, the personnel were conducting routine patrolling.

The personnel had set out from their camp at Goaltore market to nearby villages when the blast took place at Ramgarh in Lalgarh Police Station limits at around 11.30 a.m.

Those killed included three constables besides the driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling.

The vehicle was badly damaged in the explosion.

Sources said the blast left a five-feet-deep crater on the road.

Wednesday is the second day of 48-hour shutdown forced by the Maoists.

The recent attack comes just two days after a bus was blown up in Chhattisgarh killing 31 people, including 16 Special Police Officers (SPOs).

Earlier in the day, the Maoists detonated a landmine between Gidhni and Khathura stations damaging a goods train running between Tatanagar and Howrah in the Jhargram Police Station area near Khatpora in the District.

The train was damaged, and the driver and assistant driver of the train have been injured.

Earlier, the Union Home Ministry had issued a high alert in all the five states–Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand – following the call for a shutdown by the Maoists. (ANI)

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Lalgarh scene of violence again by Maoists

August 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lalgarh, Aug 21 (ANI): A landmine blast and road blockades marked third day of shutdown call by Maoists in West Bengal.

Maoists gave an indefinite shutdown call on Tuesday in West Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia districts of the state, demanding withdrawal of security forces from Lalgarh and protesting alleged police excesses on villagers in tribal dominated areas.

A landmine exploded near a canal at Mohultala forest area of Maoist-infested Lalgarh region while paramilitary forces, patrolling nearby, defused three other landmines planted by suspected Maoists.

The landmine blast however caused no damage.

Traffic was disrupted as the roads were damaged at several places in the Lalgarh area.

“When I came here this morning I was shocked to see the entire road damaged, causing inconvenience to all. I am unaware since it must have happened at night,” said Suman Mahato, a resident.

Markets and schools remained closed and public transport also kept off the road following the shutdown.

People’s Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA), which is also demanding the withdrawal of troops from Lalgarh, supported the shutdown call.

Hundreds of Maoists, who seek to expand their influence in India, had declared the town of Lalgarh, about 170 kilometres from state capital Kolkata, as a ‘liberated zone’ before they fled in face of police action.

The Maoists were evicted from the trouble-torn Lalgarh region of West Medinipur district around June 20, only after an almost weeklong joint operation of the state armed police and federal elite security forces.

The villagers due to fear of Maoists have been demanding withdrawal of the security forces.

Officials apprehend such a demand is a ploy to give the Maoists a foothold again. (ANI)

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Congress calls for statewide shutdown in Chhattisgarh

July 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Raipur, July 14 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday called for a statewide shutdown in the wake of killing of 30 police personnel including a Superintendent of Police by Naxalites here.

The opposition Congress in the State has been critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government in the state from time to time for its failure to contain Naxal violence.

In this connection the Congress has also called for imposition of President’s Rule in the State.

Earlier, Ajit Jogi, former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has called for the intervention of the Central Government and imposition of President’s rule.

Calling the Maoist attack on the police “unfortunate”, Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said that it is time to work out the right strategy and take decisive action against the Maoists.

Thirty police personnel, including a Superintendent of Police (SP), were killed in ambushes and landmine attacks by Maoists in three separate incidents in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon District. (ANI)

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Two suspected Maoists arrested in Lalgarh

June 28, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lalgarh, June 28 (ANI): Security forces on Sunday arrested two suspected Maoists and defused seven landmines from Lalgarh, while flushing out the Maoists hiding around the troubled area of West Bengal’s West Midnapore.

Five landmines were recovered from Binpur, while two more were found near Kargil junction at Bankura district, said Raj Kanojia, Inspector General of Police.

According to reports, police nabbed two men, who were hiding nearby in a bush where the landmine was planted.

“We have picked up the two men. They are now being questioned. We are probing their Maoist links,” said Raj Kanojia.

The government has deployed forces, which under the “Operation Lalgarh” are heading steadily to comb the entire area for landmines and other explosives.

The operation is expected to go on till normalcy is restored in the troubled area and a sense of security returns among the people.(ANI)

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11 CRPF personnel killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dantewada (Chattishgarh) June 21 (ANI): At least 11 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and eight were injured when the truck in which they were travelling hit a landmine planted by Maoist guerrillas in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.

The blast took place on Saturday evening at Kokanara village, nearly 375 kilometres from Raipur, when an over 40-member search squad of CRPF men and District Force (DF) was on its way back to its base camp.

According to sources, a 53-member joint police-CRPF team had gone on patrol after getting information that the militants had burnt down a truck near Kokanara village.

They were coming back from patrol and had boarded two trucks and a jeep when the naxals ambushed them. (ANI)

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Buddhadeb to meet PM, Chidambaram today

June 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 20 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P. Chidambaram here to discuss Lalgarh issue today.

Meanwhile, state police backed by paramilitary personnel continued their efforts towards reclaiming Lalgarh from the Maoist stronghold.

On Friday evening, Maoists detonated a landmine targeting a police jeep and injuring two policemen at Pirakata bazar as the joint operation entered the second day.

Earlier, Chidambaram had said that the police operation in West Bengal’s Lalgarh town in West Midnapore district was going as planned.

Chidambaram said that the central forces were assisting the state police in the operations.

The Home Minister also appealed to the maoists to give up arms and talk to the state government to resolve their grievances. (ANI)

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Chidambaram asks Maoists to lay down arms

June 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 19 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram today asked the Maoists to lay down arms and come forward for negotiations.

Talking to reporters here, Chidambaram assured that the Centre shall facilitate their talks with the West Bengal government.

“The state government is in regular touch with the Centre and the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday,” he added.

He said the operation in Lalgarh was not aimed at local tribals but at the Naxals who have taken control of the area.

“The action against the Maoists were going on according to the plan and it would be successful soon,” he added.

He further said that the operation would continue for some more time.

“The West Bengal police forces were in adequate number and they should lead the operation from the front as they are doing. The CRPF will assist them,” he added.

Earlier, the West Bengal Police supported by Central Paramilitary forces launched “Operation Lalgarh” to clear the areas in and around Lalgarh from Maoist captivity in West Midnapore district.

The troops were halted from crossing the Jhatika forest beyond Pirrakula last night, as the area was not cleared of the landmines. Anti- landmine vehicles were deployed in operation and the forces now are heading towards the ground zero.

According to sources, the march of security forces faced a stiff resistance by “human wall” in Malida, consisting of hundreds of tribal carrying traditional weapons like bows, arrows and shouting pro-Maoist slogans. (ANI)

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Operation Lalgarh: Forces face tough resistance

June 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lalgarh (West Bengal) June 19(ANI): The West Bengal Police supported by Central Paramilitary forces launched “operation Lalgarh” to clear the areas in and around Lalgarh from Maoist captivity in West Midnapore district.

The security forces are facing tough time in clearing the human shields, consisting of women and children put up by ultras on the way leading to Lalgarh.

The troops were halted from crossing the Jhatika forest beyond Pirrakula last night, as the area was not cleared from the landmines. As the anti landmine vehicles were deployed in operation the forces now are heading towards the ground zero.

Two tribal and a cameraperson were injured in the clash. The Police used baton charging and tear gas shell to chase away the mob. Later they also raided few houses.

There were also reports of clashes between security personnel and Maoists from Doima, Raj Kanojia, and Bankura.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee ruled out negotiations with Maoists, unless until they shed the violence. But he said talks could be held with tribals.

The West Bengal Chief Minister has said his government is considering launching similar operations in other affected districts of Bankura and Purulia to clear them from rebels.

Meanwhile, Maoist leader Kishanji called for a 48 hour shut down starting from Monday in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar. (ANI)

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Fish and chips supper, kiss at doorstep sealed Gurkhas’ victory in UK

May 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 22 (ANI): A fish and chips and champagne supper at her London home followed by a goodnight kiss is said to have sealed a deal between actress Joanna Lumley and the British Government to ensure the Gurkhas got residency rights in the United Kingdom.

Lumley played host to Immigration Minister Phil Woolas and is said to have convinced him to end the stand-off over Gurkha residency rights.

“I’m pleased to say we kissed on the doorstep, so there we are. A great injustice has been righted. The Gurkhas are coming home,” The Independent quoted Lumley, as saying.

The Gordon Brown Government’s effective surrender on the issue in the face of a hugely popular campaign came in a Commons statement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith on Thursday afternoon.

A little later, surrounded by more than 100 former soldiers the Prime Minister talked of his “great privilege” in welcoming the “bravest of all” to Britain.

Gordon Brown also paid tribute to the actress Joanna Lumley who has been the high-profile public face in the fight for Gurkha rights.

He said: ” She has been very persuasive and she has charmed not only the Cabinet, but the whole country.”

She said: “I would like to pay tribute to Gordon Brown the Prime Minister, a brave man who has made a brave decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave. This is a fantastic day for my brothers and sisters. It is so thrilling to have overcome something which has gone on for so long. We knew it would be something good – but this is the best.”

Some campaigners felt kissing Mr Woolas went way beyond the call of duty, but the veterans said they appreciated the work done by the actress, whose father served with the Gurkhas, in securing their victory.

Mohan Bahadur Rai, who had been in the Army for 11 years, said: “We went through some very difficult times on this, and Miss Joanna was always there with us, so we want to thank her for her help. We feel this has been a great achievement for everyone.”

Samser Jang Khastri, 58, who lost a foot after stepping on a landmine in Bosnia in 1997 said yesterday’s decision has made “all my pain worthwhile.” (ANI)

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One killed, three injured in Jharkhand landmine blast

May 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Chaibasa (Jharkhand), May 19 (ANI): One person was killed and three others injured when suspected Maoists triggered a landmine blast near Otar village of Singhbhum District in Jharkhand on Tuesday.

According to police officials, the incident took place when the CRPF personnel were returning to their camp at Bandgaon after an overnight patrolling.

Apprehending landmine traps, the personnel were walking to their camp while the driver was driving the unoccupied bus loaded with their luggage when the vehicle drove over the landmine.

Chandan Kumar, the driver of the vehicle, was killed on the spot while three CRPF men, suffered shrapnel wounds.

The condition of one of the injured was reportedly very serious. (ANI)

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Naxal attack kills 11 in Dantewada district

May 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dantewada, May 6 (ANI): A landmine blast triggered by naxalites has killed 11 persons including two CRPF personnel and five special police officers (SPOs) in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district.

“The incident took place at Sirguda village in Bastar region under Injram police station area, when naxals blew up a tractor carrying the SPOs and jawans,” Inspector General of Police A N Upadhyaya said.

Those killed include four civilians.

“The blast occurred when a joint patrol team of CRPF, district police force and special police officers, sent to Bhejji village, were returning from their duty in a tractor carrying some civilians,” Upadhyaya said.

Three other SPOs were also injured in the naxal attack.

The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital in Injram.

The police officer further informed that an additional police force has been sent to the spot to take stock of the situation.

A helicopter has also been sent for rescue operations. (ANI)

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Naxal landmine claims 10 lives in Chhattisgarh

May 6, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

Raipur (Chhattisgarh), May 6 (ANI): A landmine blast in Sirguda village, in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, claimed the lives of at least ten people on Wednesday.

Among the dead were two CRPF personnel and four special police officers, police said.

They said naxals blew up a tractor carrying the special police officers (SPOs) and jawans.

Chhattisgarh home minister Nankiram Kanwar had earlier told the State Assembly that 241 people had fallen victim to the Naxal violence in the state during the last year.

In his written reply to a question by Congress MLA Haridhar Bharadwaj, the home minister said, Naxalites have killed 241 persons in the state between January 1, 2008 and January 12, 2009.

During this period, 82 of extremists were killed in police encounters, and 431 Naxalites and Sangam members were also arrested, he said.

Kanwar said that the state government had so far compensated 126 civilian families who fell victim to the Naxal violence. (ANI)

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Maoists trigger landmine blast in West Bengal

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Jamboni (West Bengal), May 1 (ANI): A landmine blast triggered by the Maoists claimed the lives of three persons, including two polling officials in West Bengal on Thursday.

The blast, which took place at around 6:00 p.m. in Jamboni region of West Midnapore district of the state, was triggered using a remote device.

The blast was aimed at the polling officials returning from election duty under the security of paramilitary personnel. Two polling officials and the driver were killed in the blast.

In another incident, a paramilitary personnel lost his life in a landmine blast in Purulia region of the state.

The attacks came on the third-phase of polling and were seen as an attempt to disrupt the otherwise peaceful poll process in West Bengal.

In the past few weeks, several police personnel and other officials had been fatally attacked across four states – Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa termed as the ‘Red Belt’ due to the presence of ultra Maoist-Leninists.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had described Maoist violence as India’s biggest internal security threat. (ANI)

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Two injured in landmine blast in Purulia on polling day

May 2, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Purulia (West Bengal), Apr 30 (ANI): Two Central paramilitary force personnel were injured when Maoists exploded a landmine near a polling booth in Biramdih in West Bengal’s Purulia District on Thursday.

The incident took place at around 7:50 a.m. during patrolling of the area.

Polling was suspended at the booth following the blast.

Security reinforcements have been rushed to the site.

Narhari Mahato from the All India Forward Bloc and Shantiram Mahato from the Congress supported by the Trinamool Congress are the main candidates contesting the polls from this area. (ANI)

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West Bengal government moves to end Lalgarh impasse

April 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kolkata, April 20 (IANS) Officials of the Election Commission, the West Bengal government and representatives of agitating tribals will hold a meeting Wednesday to end the stalemate at Lalgarh on holding Lok Sabha polls on April 30.

The meeting will be held in Midnapore town, the district headquarters of Midnapore West.

Earlier, the tribal body Peoples’ Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) had submitted a 23-point charter of demands and said that it would allow central forces to be deployed for 12 hours on polling day for conducting the polls only if its demands were met.

Confirming the meeting, state home secretary Ardhendu Sen said the charter will be discussed, but the government will not give in to the demand that former police superintendent of police Rajesh Singh apologise to the tribals for alleged police atrocities.

‘We will discuss their demands but it does not mean that we will accept all of them,’ Sen said.

Besides state chief electoral officer Debashis Sen, the district superintendent of police, the district magistrate and the central observer for the Jhargram parliamentary constituency will attend the talks.

State’s special secretary (home), special secretary (backward class welfare) and special secretary (rural development) would take part in the deliberations, said the home secretary.

Trouble erupted in Lalgarh last November after the police arrested some school students and allegedly harassed tribal women following a landmine blast on the route of the convoy of Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and central ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada near Bhadutala area.

Lalgarh residents have been protesting police ‘excesses’ and resisting a planned government crackdown ahead of the elections.
Indo Asian News Service

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Polling ends in naxal-affected areas of AP, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar/Raipur/Hyderabad, Apr 16 (ANI): Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections ended in the naxal-hit areas of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa at 3 pm.

Chhattisgarh recorded only 25 percent voting till 1:00 pm, while around 28.5 percent of voters exercised their franchise in Jharkhand till noon.

Orissa witnessed around 40 percent of voting till 1.30 pm as compared to the 25.67 percent of voting in Andhra Pradesh in the first four hours.

Earlier, four Naxal-related attacks have surfaced in five states – Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, adding to the ten already reported earlier in the day.

News reports said Naxals had exploded a landmine in Jamui District, attacked polling booths in Rajanandgaon District in Maharashtra in which five persons have died, attacked a polling party in Bast and were engaged in an encounter with paramilitaries in the Koriari Forests of Bihar. All of these attacks disrupted the first phase of the five-phased general elections on Thursday.

At least 16 people were killed, including nine security personnel and two civilians in Jharkhand and Bihar.

According to M L Kumawat, Director General, Border Security Force (BSF) Thursday’s was the most violent series of attacks by the rebels.

The first attack took place in Jharkhand’s Latehar District, in which nine people including seven BSF personnel were killed.

According to police, the Maoists detonated a landmine under a bus that was ferrying BSF personnel to a polling station near Aara village, about 140 km from Ranch. Later, the Maoists ambushed the BSF bus.

The driver of the vehicle and the attendant, too, were killed in the attack and seven others including polling staff and security personnel are reportedly injured.

According to reports, four poll officers have been kidnapped in Latehar.

In another strike, two home guards were killed when Naxals attacked a police patrol party in Bihar’s Gaya district. Six people, including two women were injured in the attack.

The attackers also looted four police rifles and Electronic Voting Machines.

In Chhattisgarh, the Naxals attacked polling booths in Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Two polling parties were forced to return from Jagampal village in Bijapur District.

In South Bastar, the Naxals targeted Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) personnel deployed in Dantewada.

According to reports, blasts also took place at polling booths in Gotabanur and Narayanpur.n Orissa, Maoists attacked three polling booths in Andrahill village and set fire to voting machines and a vehicle in Malkangiri district.

In Maharashtra, a police base camp was attacked at Binagundha in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli District.

The Maoists have called for a complete boycott of the polls in the state. (ANI)

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Naxals strike at 13 places, death toll goes up to 16

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar/Patna/ Raipur/Mumbai, Apr 16 (ANI): A further three Naxal-related attacks have surfaced in five states – Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, adding to the ten already reported earlier in the day.

News reports said Naxals had exploded a landmine in Jamui District, attacked polling booths in Rajanandgaon District in Maharashtra in which five persons have died and were engaged in an encounter with paramilitaries in the Koriari Forests of Bihar. All of these attacks disrupted the first phase of the five-phased general elections on Thursday.

At least 16 people were killed, including nine security personnel and two civilians in Jharkhand and Bihar.

According to M L Kumawat, Director General, Border Security Force (BSF) Thursday”s was the most violent series of attacks by the rebels.

The first attack took place in Jharkhand”s Latehar District, in which nine people including seven BSF personnel were killed.

The driver of the vehicle and the attendant, too, were killed in the attack and seven others including polling staff and security personnel are reportedly injured.

According to reports, four poll officers have been kidnapped in Latehar.

In another strike, two home guards were killed when Naxals attacked a police patrol party in Bihar”s Gaya district. Six people, including two women were injured in the attack.

The attackers also looted four police rifles and Electronic Voting Machines.

In Chhattisgarh, the Naxals attacked polling booths in Bijapur and Dantewada districts. Two polling parties were forced to return from Jagampal village in Bijapur District.

In South Bastar, the Naxals targeted Central Reserve Police Force (CPRF) personnel deployed in Dantewada.

According to reports, blasts also took place at polling booths in Gotabanur and Narayanpur.

Voting will end in Bastar and Kanker seats by 3:00 p.m., while polling stations in the other nine seats will close at 4:00 p.m.

In Orissa, Maoists attacked three polling booths in Andrahill village and set fire to voting machines and a vehicle in Malkangiri district.

In Maharashtra, a police base camp was attacked at Binagundha in Maharashtra”s Gadchiroli District.

The Maoists have called for a complete boycott of the polls in the state. (ANI)

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Ten Naxal strikes in five states on polling day, at least 11 killed

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ranchi, Bhubaneshwar/Patna/ Raipur/Mumbai, Apr 16 (ANI): A series of Naxal-related attacks rocked five states – Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, disrupting the first phase of the five-phased general elections on Thursday.

At least 11 people were killed, including nine security personnel and two civilians in Jharkhand and Bihar.