Nine Naxals responsible for sukma attack arrested

New Delhi: In a major swoop against Naxalites 9 Maoists allegedly responsible for Burkapal attack in Sukma district that killed 25 CRPF personnel and 10 others were arrested from different places in Chhattisgarh, official sources said here today. Among those arrested several of them had reportedly admitted to their involvement in the attack. Those arrested belonged to Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisaan Mazdoor Sangthan - a known wing of the Maoists - and most of the ultra-left cadres arrested belonged to age group of 30s and 40s.

There were, however, two teenagers - Makdam Bheem (18) and Rava Ayta (19). In a separate action, at least 10 Naxalites were arrested from Kukanar police station area during a joint operation by the CRPF and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), sources said. These Naxalites were allegedly involved in torching two trucks and opening fire at a police patrolling party in Kukanar area between Jagdalapur and Sukma on the National Highway in February, sources said.

All the nineteen Maoists have been taken into judicial remand in Dantewada district. On April 24, in a gruesome attack, 25 CRPF personnel from the 74th battalion, were martyred in the Maoists' ambush in Burkapal area of the Naxal-stronghold Sukma district. The Chhattisgarh government and the centre had come under severe criticism following the attack. (UNI)