2 killed in CRPF firing at naxal camp inmates

Jagdalpur, May 23 (UNI) A woman and a child were killed and two others injured when the CRPF personnel fired at the inmates of a government-run relief camp for tribals at Cherpal in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district early today.

Tension prevailed in the camp when the CRPF personnel opened fire at tribals protesting the sexual harassment of the inmates by the jawans, official reports received here said.

A group of the CRPF personnel reached the Cherpal relief camp at around 0345 hrs and asked people, including women, to move to the roadside for a meeting. Subsequently, all men were asked to sit separately, local leaders of 'Salwa Judum' said.

According to preliminary reports, the personnel had arguments with the camp inmates before killing 25-year-old Ram Bai and three-year-old Entri Raju. A six-year-old boy Entri Vikas and a woman Entri Maina (30) sustained bullet injuries.

The local leaders, who came to know about the incident this morning, reported the matter to the local police. The complaint said the CRPF personnel had illegally detained seven villagers and were terrorising those staying in the relief camp. They were also not allowing anyone from outside to go the village.

It was not immediately known as to what provoked the CRPF personnel to target the inmates.

The local leaders alleged that the CRPF men had tried to sexually exploit women in the relief camp.

Meanwhile, senior district and police officials had rushed to the spot and additional force had been sent to Cherpal.

More than 50,000 people, mostly impoverished tribals, are staying in relief camps in south Bastar region for last three years as they had to desert their native village following spurt in naxalite violence ever since 'Salwa Judum' movement began in June 2005. Nearly 300 villages remained deserted.

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