'Yet Another Case Of Cold Blooded Murder'

In another example of wanton, mindless and pre-meditated violence unleashed by the CPI (Maoist), four CISF personnel (one Sub-Inspector, one Head Constable and two Constables) were killed and two Constables critically injured in a planned landmine blast in the mines area of the National Minerals Development Corporation (NMDC) in Bacheli, PS Kirandul, District Dantewada, Chhattisgarh yesterday.

NMDC is a public sector corporation. CISF is deployed to provide security cover to NMDC, including its mines. The incident took place between mine no.10 and mine no.11(c). The CISF party was on a routine patrol. The landline was planted on a kutcha road. After exploding the landmine, the CPI (Maoist) fired upon the patrol party. The patrol party fired back and the CPI (Maoist) fled the scene after an exchange of fire.

The Government of India strongly condemns this unprovoked and heinous attack by the CPI (Maoist) on a public sector security force that was on a routine patrol in an area falling under the jurisdiction of a public sector corporation. NMDC is engaged in development of minerals; gives employment to thousands of persons; promotes economic activity; and undertakes many welfare activities in the area as part of its corporate social responsibility. What is the motive behind the attack on a police force that provides security to NMDC? What is the message that the CPI (Maoist) intends to convey? These are questions that the Government would like to put not only to the CPI (Maoist) but also to those who speak on their behalf and chastise the government.

Government has also received reports of another incident in village Kodka, PS Manpur, District Kanker, Chhattisgarh. It has been reported that on October 21, 2009, 100 naxalites came to the village along with five villagers. For reasons that are not quite clear, three of the five villagers were released on October 23, 2009 and two were killed. The two bodies were found the next day in village Lohtar Mohgaon, PS Durgkondal. The killed persons have been identified as Ramji s/o. Gour Singh and Kamta Pudi s/o, Gangia Ram, both residents of village Kodka. The Chhattisgarh police is investigating the crime. This is yet another case of cold blooded murder of poor villagers by the naxalites.