Tension prevails after Bastar bloodbath

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Mar 16 (UNI) As paramilitary forces intensify combing operations in southern Bastar following yesterday's killing of 55 securitymen in a naxal attack, 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 age-group of 18-25. The funerals took place in the villages surrounding Ranibodli.

Bijapur's Superintendent of Police Ratanlal Dangi told UNI that combing operations were in full swing in the forests to flush out Maoists and the police also had two encounters with the rebels at Gotpalli and Markam since last night.

The Central Reserve Police Force, Naga Battalion and India Reserve Battalion have also been deployed for searches and combing operations.

Mr Dangi said that personnel spotted bloodstains and used syringes in about four km surrounding Ranibodli. Besides, the naxals forcibly took away cots from nearby houses, giving rise to suspicion that they were used to carry either the dead or injured Maoists.

The naxals who stormed the camp comprised about 150 rebels in naxal uniform and several Sangam members -- the grassroots-level supporters of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

Pointing out that the rebels used petrol bombs and other explosives during the attack, the officer added that the personnel retaliated, inflicting casualities. Unexploded petrol bombs and other explosives were seized from the spot.

Meanwhile, the state is on high alert as the police intensified night patrolling in Raipur and all other sensitive places.

A police spokesman told UNI in Raipur that a vigil was being mounted in all the 16 districts particularly in Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency, where a campaign is gaining momentum for the March 29 bypoll.

UNI