Raman confirms 49 deaths, condemns naxal violence

Raipur, Mar 15 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today strongly condemned the naxalite attack at a police camp at Ranibodli in Dantewada district in which 54 security personnel were killed.

''According to prelimiary information, 15 personnel of the Chhattisgarh Special Armed Force (SAF) 9th battalion C company and 34 special police officers were killed in the incident,'' he said, while making a suo moto statement in the Vidhan sabha today.

Informing that 12 injured persons were undergoing treatment, Dr Singh said Director General of Police O P Rathor, Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma, senior civil and police officials had already reached the spot.

The chief minister said security forces were carrying out combing operations and all precautions had been taken in view of the possibility extremists heavily mining the area.

He said the ultras had used petrol bombs, grenades and other explosives during the pre-dawn attack.

Dr Singh paid homage to the SAF constables and special police officers who had laid down their lives.

UNI