Maoist rebels abduct 250 villagers in central India
Maoist rebels in India have taken at least 250 villagers hostage in the restive state of Chhattisgarh in central India, local authorities say.
Raman Singh, the state’s chief minister, said on Saturday that guerrillas rounded up the locals from Morenga Village in Sukma district late Friday and took them through deep forests to a nearby hill.
He added that negotiations were underway to secure the release of the hostages.
“We are trying our best to secure their release,” media outlets quoted Singh as saying.
The development came just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured the central state on Saturday. The site of the abductions is located 80 kilometers (50 miles) away from where Modi later addressed a public rally.
During the speech, the Indian prime minister touched on the violence in the poverty-stricken area and vowed a strong response to the ongoing attacks by the rebels.
“Violence has no future… Don’t get disheartened. The macabre drama of death will end soon,” Modi told cheering participants at the massive rally.
Meanwhile, Kawashi Lakma, a regional lawmaker has said the abduction could be an act of protest against Premier Modi’s visit or a protest against an ongoing bridge construction in the region.
Senior Indian officials have often expressed grave concern over the continuing attacks by Maoists in Chhatisgarh and several other states.
The rebels, who are supported by some tribal groups and landless farmers, have fought against the state and central government for many years. Thousands of people have died in the Maoist-related clashes over the past three decades. The Maoist militancy has now spread to 20 of the 28 Indian states.
The rebels are most active in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra, occupying vast swathes of land.
India’s former premier, Manmohan Singh, had described the Maoists as the gravest threat to the country’s internal security.
JR/HJL/SS
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