By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
CHHATTISGARH, India- Maoist rebels have killed at least 75 Indian police in a jungle ambush in central India yesterday in their bloodiest attack on security forces since their uprising began more than four decades ago.
Maoist rebels numbering up to 700 participated in the early morning attack on 82 members of the Central Reserve Police Force patrolling forests in the central state of Chhattisgarh. Also known as Naxalites, the rebels used automatic weapons and land mines to attack the patrol, surrounding the reinforcements who rushed to the scene in the Bastar region, which is home to India’s largest iron ore mining company.
From his hospital bed, one of the seven troopers who survived with severe injuries said “It was a flash attack…I saw scores of my colleagues in a pool of blood. Maoists were spraying bullets on us.” Police said at least 17 soldiers were killed when the Maoist rebels blew up an armored anti-mine vehicle sent to retrieve the wounded.
P. Chidambaram, the Home Minister who last year launched a campaign against the Naxalites said, “Something has gone very wrong. They seem to have walked into a trap…I’m deeply shocked. I’m sorry for those who’ve lost their lives. This shows the savage nature of the [Naxalites].”
The Naxalites, who claim to be fighting for the hundreds of millions of poor farmers and landless labourers left behind by India’s recent economic growth have become a growing threat in the region, highlighted by this recent attack. From their beginnings in 1967, they have grown into a force of about 20,000 permanent armed cadres and 100,000 militia.
Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister, has described the Naxalites as the largest internal threat to India’s security. Chidambaram vowed to defeat the rebels within three years by using paramilitary forces to help state police in Operation Green Hunt. Critics say the campaign is futile because of chronic lack of training, equipment, personnel and reliable intelligence.
The rebels however, already appear to be stepping up their activities against the government offensive. Last year, violence claimed 908 lives, the highest total since 1971.
Before yesterday, the rebel’s bloodiest attack was one that killed 55 policemen in March 2007, also in Chhattisgarh.
For more information, please see:
BBC News- Scores of Indian Soldiers Killed In Maoist Ambushes– 6 April 2010
TimesOnline- Jungle Ambush Leaves 75 Police Dead In the Bloodiest Day in Maoist Insurgency– 6 April 2010
Guardian.co.uk- Maoist Rebels Kill 75 Indian Police– 6 April 2010
