'500 Naxal attacks in past 3 months'

At least 500 Naxal attacks have been reported in nine states across the country in the last three months, with the highest number reported from Chhattisgarh, government said today.

At least 500 Naxal attacks have been reported in nine states across the country in the last three months, with the highest number reported from Chhattisgarh, government said on Wednesday.

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A highest of 140 instances were reported in Chhattisgarh, 111 in Jharkhand, 88 in West Bengal, 78 in Bihar and 43 in Orissa, according to data given in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Maken.

Twenty incidents including attacks on police and civilians by the Maoists were reported in Maharashtra, followed by 17 in Andhra Pradesh, two in Madhya Pradesh and one in Uttar Pradesh, it said.

According to the data, 348 people, including security force personnel were killed in such attacks. A highest of 194 casualties were reported in Chhattisgarh, followed by 66 in West Bengal and 23 in Orissa.

In reply to another question, Maken said a total of 378 Naxalites were arrested in the last two months.

"The CPI (Maoist) and other Left Wing Extremist groups source their weapons primarily by looting the same from security forces. In areas of Maoists influence, they also loot weapons from arms license holders. They also manufacture country made weapons in their arms manufacturing units," he said.

"Central Government grants, under security related expenditure scheme, ex-gratia payment of Rs three lakh to family of security personnel killed due to Naxal attacks. In addition, ex-gratia compensation of Rs 15 lakh is paid to the next of kin of personnel of Central para-military forces killed in action," Maken added.