Nine Naxals Involved in Sukma Attack Among 19 Arrested in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: At least 19 Naxalites, including nine who were allegedly involved in the deadly attack on CRPF personnel last week, were arrested on Saturday from separate places in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, PTI quoted police as saying.

Around a dozen suspects were also rounded up during joint search operations by the Central Reserve Police Force, the CoBRA and the district force in Chintalnar, Chintagufa and Burkapal areas of Sukma for questioning, he said.

Those arrested were identified as Sodhi Linga (30), Sodhi Muda (45), Podiam Joga (38), Madkam Bheema (18), Rava Aayta (20) and Madkam Somdu (34) from Chintagufa, Vetti Malla (26), Muchaki Nanda (39) and Madvi Kosa (40) from Chintalnar, the ASP said, adding they all were active as members of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisaan Mazdoor Sangthan (DAKMS)- a frontal wing of the Maoists.

The 10 were allegedly involved in torching two trucks and opening fire at a police patrolling party in Kukanar area between Jagdalapur and Sukma on National Highway 30 on February 26, he said.

All the 19 ultras were produced before a court in Dantewada district which sent them in judicial remand, the officer added.

On April 24, 25 CRPF personnel, belonging to 74th battalion, were killed in a Maoist ambush while patrolling in Burkapal area of the Sukma district.(With PTI inputs)