ACHR: 460 people killed in 9 Naxal-affected states since January

New Delhi, July 17 (UNI) The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today said at least 460 people, including 90 security personnel and 181 civilians have been killed in nine Naxal-affected states during January and June this year.

According to the latest issue of ACHR 'Naxal Conflict Monitor', which was released today, Chhattisgarh accounted for 48.25 per cent (222 people) of the killings, followed by Andhra Pradesh (66), Jharkhand (62), Maharashtra (42), Bihar (36), Orissa (16) and West Bengal (14).

''Out of these 460 people, 225 were killed during the second quarter (April to June) of 2006,'' it said.

While the security forces have killed 105 alleged Naxals, the Naxalites have been responsible for the murder of 120 people, including 38 security forces, 75 civilians.

The ACHR condemned as ''barbaric and crime against humanity'' the masscare of 25 people earlier in the day by Naxals in the Erabore Relief Camp of Chhattisgarh.

''This is a deliberate attack and the Maoists have no excuses to make which they usually do after killing innocent civilians. The culprits must be brought to justice,'' ACHR Director Suhas Chakma said.

He urged the Centre not to involve civilians in the conflict and ensure their safety and security.

''We also request the Government create a separate ministry to oversee the development of the Naxalite affected areas,'' he added.

Commenting on the socio-economic development programmes for countering the Naxals, ACHR said, ''The issue has never been mere allocation of funds as Article 245(1) of the Constitution provided for undertaking such programmes.'' ''Little corrective measures have been taken to address mis-utilisation and diversion of funds of programmes such as Integrated Tribal Development Project as found by an evaluation of the Planning Commission,'' it added.

''The only visible economic development has been taking the war home through the recruitment of the locals into para- military and police forces,'' it said.

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