C'garh: CPI workers attacked in Bastar, 7 injured

Raipur, June 03: Supporters of 'Salwa Judum'--an anti-naxalite movement-- in Bastar and special police officers (SPOs) attacked Communist Party of India (CPI) workers in south Bastar , leaving seven people serious injured this morning.

CPI national executive member Chittaranjan Bakshi told sources on telephone from Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border the incident took place when the CPI workers were returning from Chorla in Khammam district of neighbouring state after attending a public meeting of those who were settled there due to the violence and bloodshed in Bastar.

After attending the public meeting organised by the Adivasi Mahasabha, he said the CPI workers were returning to Bastar when a group of armed special police officers-- local youth recruited to assist the security personnel, and salwa judum supporters intercepted their four vehicles in which they were travelling. However, they were let off following the intervention of sub divisional officer (police) Praful Thakur.

Mr Bakshi said later the CPI workers were stopped again by SPOs and Salwa Judum supporters near Dornapal where they assaulted them. Though the police intervened and took them to the police station, he alleged that Salwa judum supporters and SPOs entered the police station and attacked them. He said seven people were serious injured in the attack.

CPI national executive member said he himself , former legislator Manish Kunjam and other party workers had to take shelter at a village on the inter-state border of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh in view of their threat from slawa judum supporters and SPOs.

Many political parties, including the CPI, were opposing the Salwa Judum movement-- which began two years ago to counter Naxalites-- arguing that innocent tribals were facing the warth of both the naxalites and anti-naxalite campaign supporters. While the naxalites targets the tribals if they support any campaign against them, Salwa Judum activists brand these poor tribals as Naxalite sympathisers if they did not join the movement.

Besides, the state government has recruited young local youth as Special Police Officers-- on a monthly honararium of just Rs 1500-- to assist the security personnel during their operations in the region. However, there were complaints that these SPOs, armed with fire arms, assist the salwa judum supporters to check vehicles and other activities.

UNI