Singh announces Rs 1 lakh compensation to Dantewara victims

Kolkata, Jul 17 (UNI) Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today condemned the fresh naxalite attacks in his state this morning which claimed 25 lives and injured more than 150.

''I have discussed the matter with the home ministry,'' he told newspersons here.

Mr Singh was reacting while on a tour of this city for consultations on the draft approach paper for the 11th five year plan.

About relief operations, he said army helicopters were helping to carry the injured to hospitals.

He also said his government had decided to give a compensation of Rs one lakh to each of the victims and the relief operations were being carried out.

Expressing concern over the brutal act of the naxalites, he asked Chhatisgarh's DGP to take immediate action against the rebels.

He further informed that four naxalites had been killed in the police encounter.

Armed naxalites had raided a relief camp, set ablaze houses and abducted scores of tribals from Erabor village in Dantewara district before killing 25 people and injuring nearly 150.

The attacks had been condemned by all as 'inhuman and barbaric'.

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