40 naxalites flee towards Chhattisgarh after encounter

Nagpur, Feb 9 (UNI) At least 40 naxalites are suspected to have fled towards Chhattisgarh after an encounter with the police in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra today.

Gadchiroli district superintendent of police (SP) Mr Shirish Jain told UNI that the exchange of fire took place shortly after noon, near Kholnala village in Korchi tehsil of the district, close to the state's border with Chhattisgarh.

''Nobody from either side was injured. We have seized a hand grenade from the site of the encounter. We suspect that at least 40 naxalites have fled into the jungle in the adjoining Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh. The naxals belonged to three dalams, namely Tippagad, Khobramendha and Platoon,''he disclosed.

The police also seized some posters from the site in which the naxalites have appealed to the people to observe Bhoomkal Divas tomorrow (February 10), Mr Jain added.

UNI