Maoist rebels kill villager, release 250 hostages
Indian police say Maoist rebels have killed one villager and released at least 250 others they had taken hostage in the country’s central state of Chhattisgarh.
The villagers, except the one who was killed, were released late Saturday, and returned to their village in Sukma, a district in Chhattisgarh.
"All villagers have been released except one who was killed at the hands of the Maoists," said district inspector general S.R.P. Kalluri.
The villagers were abducted on May 8 and held captive in nearby forests in a move by the rebels aimed at stopping the Chhattisgarh government from constructing a bridge in the village of Marenga. Reports say the victim was shot dead after rebels found him "guilty" of encouraging other villagers to take part in the construction of the bridge.
The incident took place before a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dantewada, another district in Chhattisgarh.
The rebels, who are supported by some tribal groups and landless farmers, have fought against the Chhattisgarh state governing authority and central government for years. Thousands of people have died in the Maoist-related clashes over the past three decades.
The rebels say their movement was inspired by the Chinese founder of the People’s Republic of China, Mao Zedong. Although the rebels operate in 20 of the 28 states of India, they are most active in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, occupying vast swathes of land.
India’s Home Ministry has described the Maoists as the country’s greatest internal threat.
SZH/HSN/HMV
Pezeshkian says seeking to prevent conflict expansion as Modi blasts Israel’s genocide
Putin: BRICS, not the West, will drive global economic prosperity
Party opposed to India’s stripping Kashmir’s autonomy wins key vote
The important of Venezuela for Iran
Iran beats traditional rival Russia in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling friendly
Rape trials trigger protests against French ‘sexist and misogynistic’ culture
US photographer opens Berlin exhibition with anti-Israel speech
VIDEO | Press TV's News Headlines
VIDEO | US 'non-profit killer’ bill targets pro-Palestinian groups
Explainer: How Yemeni military chased away US aircraft carrier from Red Sea?
French march for women of Palestine
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
