C'garh: Tension prevails after Bastar bloodbath

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Mar 16: As paramilitary forces personnel intensify combing operations in southern Bastar following yesterday's killing of 55 security personnel in a naxal assault, tension continued to prevail with shops and markets remaining closed in several towns of tribal Dantewada district.

A pall of gloom descended over villages around Ranibodli, where the rebels raided a police camp, as the slain special police officers (SPOs) -- local youth recruited to assist security forces on a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500 -- hailed from these villages located within a radius of seven km.

Hundreds have thronged these villages to perform the last rites of these SPOs, who were in the 18-25 age-group. The funerals were taking place in villages surrounding Ranibodli.

Bijapur's Superintendent of Police Ratanlal Dangi told UNI