New Delhi: Five policemen were shot dead Friday by suspected Maoist rebelsin eastern Jharkhand state, authorities said, the latest incident ofviolence in the decades-long conflict.
The policemen were patrolling in a market when the rebels disarmed them andshot them at close range, senior Jharkhand police official M. L Meena toldAFP.
“Five of our men were killed and their arms looted by the attackers,” Meenasaid, adding the group of militants fled after the shooting andreinforcements had been sent to catch them.
Jharkhand is among India´s most improvised but mineral rich states, whereguerrillas are fighting the Indian state for greater rights, including forland, resources and jobs.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the 1960s in armedclashes between security forces and guerrillas, first inspired by Chineserevolutionary leader Mao Zedong.
The Maoists insurgents are believed to be present in at least 20 Indianstates but are most active in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Bihar.
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The government has deployed thousands of policemen and special commandos totake on the armed rebels active in forests and hills across the states.
On Thursday police in Chhattisgarh state said they shot dead two Maoists ina gunfight.
A bomb attack in western Maharashtra state on May 1 left 16 policecommandos dead. -APP/AFP
