The death toll from an attack by hundreds of suspected Maoist guerrillas on a relief camp in the tiny central state of Chhattisgarh has risen to 30, police said yesterday.
The attack, mounted by some 400 and 500 guerrillas in the early hours of Monday, took place in Errabore village of Dantewada district, 550km north of the state capital Raipur.
T.J. Longkumer, a senior police official in the region, said the death toll had climbed to 30 with the overnight recovery of five bodies.
A senior district police officer, Bhawna Pandey said 25 villagers were hacked to death, three were shot dead and an equal number were burnt alive.
"This is the worst-ever attack on the villagers this year. The Maoist insurgents have stepped up violence since Selva Judum, the anti-Maoist movement, started last year," a police officer said requesting anonymity.
"Search operations to track down the Maoists are in full swing," he added.
The camp, which was set up to safeguard villagers from Maoist attacks, housed 3,500 to 4,000 people who had fled their homes fearing the rebels.
Six of the dead were surrendered Maoists -- former members of its intelligence wing, Longkumer said.
Meanwhile, 41 people reported missing after the rebel attack had returned home safe, he said.
These included 23 people abducted by Maoists, he said adding the others had fled the camp during the attack.
At least 50,000 people in the state have fled their villages and are living in 27 government relief camps, according to other officials.
Maoists have killed more than 175 people including security officials since January in Chhattisgarh, among 15 of India's 29 states where left-wing rebels are active.
The rebels control 10 of Chhattisgarh's 16 districts. The guerrillas claim they are fighting for the rights of neglected tribes and landless farmers.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh admitted that lax security arrangements had led to the deaths and pledged stern action against the guilty.
A committee had been set up to look into the matter, he added.
RSS