Chhattisgarh: Experts to defuse Maoist landmines
07 January, 2007
Raipur, Jan 7: Special squads will be deployed to defuse landmines planted by Maoist rebels over thousands of square kilometres in Chhattisgarh's southern Bastar region.Maoists, who hold sway in the state's forested and hilly terrain of Bastar, will face a serious challenge when the experts begin deactivating the mines planted all around Abujhmad region, which forms about 10 percent of Bastar.
The rebels planted landmines in thickly forested Abujhmad in the southern part of the state in recent years to prevent government officials, civilians and police from entering the area.The police maintain that Maoists have several war training camps and explosive units in the area and that these are used for exporting explosives to at least a dozen states.
Police presence in Abujhmad has not been strict for decades and civilians of Abujhmaria tribal group, facing extinction, moved to the region only after being allowed by the rebels, who describe the entire region as a 'liberated zone'.
"The government will soon start recruiting retired army officers"The government has placed several requests to the Army Central Command headquarters in Lucknow to send landmine experts to help about 10,000 paramilitary forces in Bastar," a home department official said.
The worst among 13 Maoist-hit Indian states, Chhattisgarh witnessed at least 400 killings last year alone due to rebel attacks. having expertise in explosives and other landmine experts to defuse landmines and live wires planted all around Abujhmad and other hinterlands of Bastar," Home Minister Ramvichar Netam told
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Labels: chhattisgarh, CPI(Maoist), News
posted by Bimal 7.1.07,
