Chhattisgarh police arrest 18 suspected Maoists, seize huge cache of arms, ammunition

Bijapur/ Kanker (Chhattisgarh), July 21 (ANI): The Chhattisgarh police arrested 18 suspected Maoists during a routine police patrol in Bijapur District on Wednesday.

The police have framed charges against those detained, which includes murder, conspiracy against the State and assault on policemen.

"These people were arrested today. Belonging to the Maoist group, these persons perpetrated several murders of police personnel, kidnappings and had even planted bombs and explosives in various parts of the region," said Rajendra Das, Additional Superintendent of Police, Bijapur.

Meanwhile, acting on a tip off, the Chhattisgarh Police busted a Maoists hideout in Kanker District and seized a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives.

The seizure has startled the security forces, since the Maoists could have used these lethal weapons and other items to carry out a major attack.

Maoist attacks have increased this year, especially after the government launched a coordinated security offensive, involving tens of thousands of police and paramilitaries trying to flush out rebels from their jungle hideouts in central and eastern India. (ANI)