Families flee Dantewada villages after Maoist massacre

Fearful of anti-Maoist operations after the Dantewada attack, many families in the district are now fleeing the villages even as Chhattisgarh chief minister today launched a major drive to reach out to people in Naxal hotbeds in rural areas.

Security forces have launched a masive manhunt to nab the Maoists after the deadly ambush that killed 76 personnel on 6 April.

Tension prevails in Chintalnar, Mukram and Tarmetla villages, about 500 kms from here, with the police questioning residents, official sources said.

During the ambush, security forces had gunned down eight Maoists, including Rukmati, a self styled section commander hailing from Mukram. Many residents have fled this village fearing police action, they said.

The other Maoists belonged to Rehadgatta, Pamra, Karigundam, Kodapalli, Rengam, Murpalli and Jadka villages which are a stronghold of the Naxals. Sources said that several families from these villages have also taken shelter at other places since the Maoist attack.

Collector, Dantewada district, Reena Kangla said that there was no report of any major exodus from these villages.

However, she admitted that the villagers were fearful after the attack.

"Some villagers have gone to nearby towns but you cannot say that they are fleeing the villages," she said. 

Launching a major drive for "good governance" in rural areas, chief minister Raman Singh today visited the camps for Naxal-affected in Dantewada to take stock of the situation and assured the people of all necessary help.