In yet another audaciously gruesome attack, Naxals in the Dantewada district blew up a bus on Monday evening, killing at least 50 people, including 20 Special Police Officers (SPOs). The attack took place in the
Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
The passenger bus was blown up by Maoists between Gadiras to Bhusaras near Chingavaram village, when it was on its way from Sukma to Dantewada, about 450 km from Raipur. Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) with gelatin sticks were used as ammunition for the attack. The bus was thrown up several feet with the impact of the explosion, and body parts were strewn along the roadside.
Standard Operating Procedures prohibit policemen and SPOs to travel in civilian vehicles, but this rule was clearly violated on Monday. It is speculated that the presence of these police personnel in the bus may have triggered the Maoists to target the bus.
Severely condemning the murderous act on hapless civilians, the Central government began deliberating its options after Home Minister P Chidambaram met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday evening to discuss the issue.
This attack was the second severe assault within 40 days in the state.