Leader escapes in luckily Chhattisgarh

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Feb 12 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Chhattisgarh Assembly Mahendra Karma had a providential escape today during an ambush by naxals who opened fire at his convoy on Aranpur road near Dantewada district's Potligaon.

No casualties were reported in the ensuing encounter, about 35 km from Dantewada. ''Superintendent of Police Rahul Sharma was accompanying Mr Karma's convoy,'' said Inspector-General (Bastar Range) R K Vij. Police personnel instantly set up a perimeter around the political leader and retaliatory action made the maoists flee.

Mr Karma, who spearheads the anti-rebel Salwa Judum campaign, was returning after inspecting villages where ultras recently targeted school buildings. While on the onward journey, his security detail defused a landmine.

UNI XC-AC GL RN2058