New Delhi (dpa) – Days before the start of parliamentary elections in India, security forces shot and killed 29 suspected Maoist rebels.
Three members of the state unit were also injured in the operation, local media such as “Indian Express” reported, citing security authorities. The incident occurred on Tuesday in Cancer district of Chhattisgarh state. It said a number of rebel weapons had been seized.
Maoists are active in forest areas in several Indian states. They reject parliamentary democracy and say they are fighting for poor, rural indigenous communities. Chhattisgarh was badly affected by the insurgency. According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) run by a think tank in New Delhi, there were many deaths in violent incidents involving Maoists in India between 2005 and 2011: more than 600 people were killed. annually and more than 1,100 civilians, security forces and Maoists. The numbers have now decreased. This year, before the latest incident, 98 deaths were recorded related to clashes between Moisten and security forces.
Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the troops involved in Platform X on the success of the operation. He promised that the entire country would be free from Maoist insurgents in the future under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Parliamentary elections begin on Friday in India, the world's most populous country. More than 900 million people will be called to vote in stages. The election lasted a total of six weeks. Results are expected in June.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240417-99-705041/2
