54 police personnel slain in naxal raid

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Mar 15 (UNI) Mounting a major offensive, naxals raided a police camp at Ranibodli in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district in the pre-dawn hours today killing 54 security personnel and injuring 13.

More than 400 rebels launched the assault causing the death of 38 special police officers -- local youth recruited to support the forces on a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500 -- and 16 constables of the Chhattisgarh Special Armed Force while 11 sustained severe burns as the Maoists used petrol bombs.

Three of the deceased were identified as platoon commanders Ramsweak, Mistar Ekka and Raj Bahadur.

Director-General of Police Om Prakash Rathor, who visited the site, claimed, ''15-20 naxals were slain in an ensuing encounter but the Maoists carried away the bodies.'' Reports said that the naxals looted three AK-47 assault rifles, one INSAS (Indian National Small Arms System) rifle, three self-loading rifles and several .303 rifles from the camp housed in an Ashram school building. The other portion of the school was being used by 28 girl students, who had a narrow escape.

An injured constable brought here for treatment told UNI that the Maoists used a generator to illuminate the area before hurling grenades and petrol bombs.

Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma, Director-General of Police Om Prakash Rathor, Inspector-General (Bastar Range) R K Vij and other senior civil and police officials have reached the spot.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh made a suo moto statement in the Assembly and condemned the violence.

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