7 Naxals held in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, May 3: Seven Naxals, including two women, were arrested from separate places during joint search operations by security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, police said today.

A composite squad of Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) 230th battalion and district force had yesterday launched a search operation in the interior forests, located around 450 kms away from here, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police, Santosh Singh said.

While cordoning off Durma-Baddesatti villages, security forces nabbed four suspects who later admitted to their involvement with the outlawed Maoist movement, he added.

Podiyam Ayta, Rawa Bheema, Rawa Ayta, all belonging to Dandakarnya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (DAKMS) - a frontal wing of the Maoists, and Rawa Ganga - a militia member, were apprehended, the ASP said.

They were allegedly involved in looting polling materials during the last years panchayat elections in Sirsitti village of the region, Singh said.

Similarly, three militia members were nabbed by a joint team of CRPF's elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) 208th battalion and district force from Dubbakonta village of Chintagufa police station limits.

They were identified as Madkam Hurra (35) and two women - Madvi Payke (19) and Madkam Jogi (24), he added.

PTI