By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Apr 27:
Nearly 11 people including 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans and a driver, were killed in Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast carried out by Naxalites, in the Dantewada district, around 450 km from Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
The jawans were returning in a mini-goods van, from an anti-Maoist operation launched following a threat through a letter issued by the Naxals last week to attack security forces. The vehicle carrying DRG jawans came under the IED attack planted by the Naxals near Aranpur in Dantewada district, the Chhatisgarh police said.
The deceased were identified as: DRG jawans-Joga Sodhi, Munna Ram Kadti, Satosh Tamo, Dulgo Mandavi, Lakhmu Markam, Joga Kavasi, Hariram Mandavi, Raju Ram Kartam, Jairam Podiyam, Jagdish Kawasi and Dhaniram Yadav (Driver).
The DRG, a special force of the Chhattisgarh police comprising mostly local tribals trained to combat Naxalites, has carried out many successful operations against the rebels in Bastar, a hotbed of left-wing extremism in Chhatisgarh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Naxal attack in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh; expresses condolences to the bereaved families.
“Anguished by the cowardly attack on the Chhattisgarh police at Dantewada. Have spoken to Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister and assured all possible assistance to the state government. My condolences to the bereaved family members of the martyred Jawans”, Union Homer Minister Amit Shah tweeted.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel assured strict action against the perpetrators. This is saddening information. My condolences to the bereaved families. This fight is in its last stage. Naxals won’t be spared”, CM Baghel said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to the martyrs. “The news of the martyrdom of 10 DRG jawans and a driver in the cowardly Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada is sad. I express my deepest condolences to their bereaved families in this difficult time. My salute and tribute to all the brave martyrs”, Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
The Maoists (Naxals), are engaged in an armed insurgency against the government killing hundreds of people over nearly 06 decades. They have been claiming to fight for the poor. There are Naxal pockets in 10 states in the country.
