31 massacred by Maoists

In a coordinated attack, the worst of its kind, Maoists rebels struck in Errobore village in the Konta region of Bastar district in the wee hours of Monday killing 31 persons ? including an infant and a six-year-old girl ? injuring over 21, some of them critically, and abducting over 100 persons.

In a coordinated attack, the worst of its kind, Maoists rebels struck in Errobore village in the Konta region of Bastar district in the wee hours of Monday killing 31 persons — including an infant and a six-year-old girl — injuring over 21, some of them critically, and abducting over 100 persons.

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The rebels simultaneously attacked a relief camp, a CRPF camp and a police station — all in the same village in south Bastar — and set about 200 huts on fire before escaping into the forests in the darkness of the night.

Close to a thousand Naxalites went on the rampage for nearly two hours in the village, about 550 kms from the Chhattisgarh capital. Five persons were burnt alive as the outlaws set the Salwa Judum relief camp on fire. Most of the other victims were hacked to death.

As many as 17 people with serious injuries have been rushed to Bhadrachalam Hospital and others have been admitted to Konta Hospital.The area wore a deserted look after the mayhem and the tension and anger was palpable. Many blamed the Salwa Judam (villagers campaign against Naxalites) and its leaders for provoking the mayhem. Shops and business establishments remained closed and public transport was off the road. According to a Special Police Officer at the camp, the Naxals struck just after midnight. Residents woke up to find the village cordoned off by an army of Naxals. There were only 22 security personnel at the camp and police station, he said.

Four companies of additional forces- CRPF and NAP, have been rushed to the spot and a search operation has been mounted to nab the outlaws.