Maoist violence victims to get Rs five lakh solatium

Raipur, Mar 30 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh Government has decided to provide a solatium of Rs five lakh each to the families of 39 special police officers (SPOs) killed in Maoist violence at Ranibodli in South Bastar on March 15.

Chief Minister Raman Singh told mediapersons here this evening that till now the victims of naxalite violence were being given an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each. Now, it has been decided to enhance it to Rs five lakh.

He said one member of the family of each victim would be given employment.

Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres had massacred 55 people, including 16 personnel of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) ninth battalion on March 15.

The rebels had used petrol bombs, grenades to kill security personnel and many of them were even hacked to death in the pre-dawn attack at the police camp.

As many as 39 tribal youth, who had been enrolled as special police officers, were among the victims. These local youth were recruited as SPOs under the provisions of the Police Act to fight naxals for a monthly honorarium of just Rs 1500.

UNI