Naxal attack toll up to 54

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Mar 15 (UNI) In the worst-ever strike of its kind in the past two decades, at least 54 security personnel were killed when armed Maoists stormed a police camp at Ranibodli in south Bastar's Dantewada district in the pre-dawn hours today.

Local police confirmed the death of 38 special police officers and 16 constables of the Chhattisgarh Special Armed Force saying that 11 sustained severe burns as the rebels used petrol bombs.

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 quoted preliminary reports confirming 49 fatalities and injuries to 12. He condemned the violence.

(Eds: Pl pick up suitably from earlier series.) UNI