Chhattisgarh pays tribute to martyrs killed by Maoists

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), June 26 (ANI): Police authorities and residents of Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur town on Friday paid tributes to the security personnel killed while fighting the Maoists.

Three constables, Santosh Yadav, Rajesh Kujur and Ashok Markan were killed on Wednesday when a group of Maoists attacked a police team near Golapalli police station in Dantewada region.

Due to the remoteness of the area, it took the authorities a full day to locate the bodies and then bring them to Jagdalpur.

Residents said the government should take concrete measures to curtail the Maoist menace.

"The incident is condemnable. It is a cowardly act by the Maoists. We will urge the government to put a check on these incidents. We are very disturbed by these recurring incidents," said Ghani Ram, a resident.

Maoist rebels in recent months have stepped up attacks against the joint central paramilitary and state police outfits who have been trying to flush them out of their jungle bases.

The Maoists have been active in rural areas of central and eastern India and often attack railway lines and mining operations to cripple economic activity, such as the transportation of coal to power and steel plants.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of the poor and marginal farmers and landless labourers. (ANI)