Violence marred the first two days of Maoists’ 'martyr week' in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh in which one suspected Maoist was killed and three policemen were injured.
Police also arrested 13 suspected Maoists’ from different areas of Bastar and destroyed a ‘Maoist memorial’ in Dantewada district.
Three policemen suffered minor injuries when the police parties exchanged fire with Maoists near Chintagufa village in Sukma district.
A suspected Maoist was also killed in the firing, said police.
Narayanpur district police claimed to have arrested seven Maoists on Tuesday.
“We trapped them (Maoists) when they were putting up Maoist banners near Maharabeda village,” the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Narayanpur district Mr.K.S.Diwan told reporters.
Three suspected Maoists were arrested from Kirandul area of Dantewada district when a police team led by Mr.Kamlochan Kashyap, Dantewada district Superintendent of Police (SP) busted a Maoist memorial.
A team of Border Security Force (BSF) arrested three suspected Maoists from Bhanupratapur and Antagad area of Kanker district.
According to some reports, Maoists opened fire on a police post in Kuwakonda block of Dantewada district. However, no casualties were reported from either side.
Normal life was affected in many parts of Bastar with the passenger train service being suspended for a week as a precautionary measure.
Private bus services were also not running in many parts of Bastar due to Martyr’s week.