‘Salwa Judum’ activists condemn Dantewada massacre

BIJAPUR/ RAIPUR - The ‘Salwa Judum’, a local militia formed to fight Maoists, took out a peace rally in Bijapur on Wednesday to condemn the Maoist attack that killed over 30 people in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada District.

“To condemn the heinous attack carried out by Maoists, we have gathered here. We paid condolences to the deceased civilians and carried out an anti-Maoist rally,” said Hanif Khan, a leader of a ‘Salwa Judam’ chapter.

He also said that their group, which has been carrying out peaceful protests against the Maoists, was not getting adequate support from the government and in turn the very objective has been subjugated.

Meanwhile, in Raipur, locals have voiced their concern over increasing violent attacks by rebels.

“Naxalism is the biggest problem for Chhattisgarh and requires full attention of the central government. The crimes in Chhattisgarh, Jagdalpur and Dantewada have become the major issue of concern for India,” said Ravi Kumar Sharma, a resident.

Vikas Sathe, another resident, felt the rebels should be attacked directly through an air-borne strike and wiped out completely.

“The airborne strikes which they are talking about like the Americans do an air-strike on Taliban, a similar one should be carried out here on the Maoists. Their strength will be broken. The arms supply to them should also stop,” he said.

He also noted that all routes of food and arms supply to the Maoists should be blocked so that once they are helpless they would ultimately surrender.

In the latest of such violent attacks, the Maoists targeted a bus and detonated a landmine killing over 30 persons, including police personnel near Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.

The Maoists claim they are crusading for poor, marginal farmers and landless labourers.

They have spread their influence into rural pockets of 20 of India’s 28 states. (ANI)