Indian troops have killed thirteen people, including three women, in the violence-hit state of Chhattisgarh. A joint operation involving the Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, along with forces from the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), District Reserve Guard, and Special Task Force, resulted in the deaths during an eight-hour-long violent operation in a forest near Lenda village of Bijapur district. IG Bastar Range, P Sundarraj, confirmed to media that among the thirteen casualties, three were women. Indian officials claimed that those killed were members of the Naxal or Maoist guerrillas, who are demanding independence from Indian control. This incident comes on the heels of a recent operation where Indian paramilitary and police personnel allegedly killed six Maoist members in a fake encounter in Bijapur district. It is worth mentioning here that Dalits and tribes are demanding independence from Indian authority in these regions, notably in the northeast Indian states. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij stated that the party will oppose any encounter targeting tribal communities. “The Naxal attacks in Bastar have surged under BJP governance. Bastar is once again in turmoil. The Congress party will oppose any targeting of tribal communities,” Baij informed the media.—INP
