Sever injured in attack on CPI workers in Bastar

Raipur, Jun 3 (UNI) Supporters of 'Salwa Judum'--an anti-naxalite movement-- and special police officers (SPOs) attacked CPI workers in south Bastar this morning, leaving seven people seriously injured.

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

After attending the 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 four of the vehicles in which they were travelling. However, they were let off following intervention by sub divisional officer (police) Praful Thakur.

Mr Bakshi said later, the CPI workers were stopped againby 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 the 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 target the tribals if they support any campaign against them, Salwa Judum activists brand these poor tribals as Naxalite sympathisers if they do not join the movement.

Besides, the state government has recruited local youth as Special Police Officers-- on a monthly honararium of mere 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