Alleged Maoist Attack in Eastern India
2009-10-13 12:44
Maoist rebels allegedly blasted the generators of three mobile towers, belonging to Reliance, Vodafone and Airtel in Toto Chainpur village in the Gumla district.
While it's generally believed that Maoists had a hand in this, police say they have not found any direct clue of their involvement.
[GS Ansari, Police Officer]:
"It's not clear who set the fire, whether anti social elements or rebels. Villagers are not able to confirm that rebels fired or shouted slogans. We will be able to confirm this after the investigation."
Elsewhere in the state rebels have blown up railway tracks, burned offices and held railway officials as hostage… to intensify their two-day strike call that began on Monday.
On Sunday the Indian prime minister reiterated that Maoists are the biggest internal threat to the country and added that the government is ready to talk to them provided they leave the path of violence.
India is battling Maoists across eastern, central and southern India.
Maoists have formally been labeled as a terrorist group by India's federal government, which gives security forces more enforcement powers.
Hundreds are killed from Maoist violence each year, as forces clash with rebels and civilians get caught in the crossfire.
