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6 Naxals held for Dantewada killings

Dantewada, May 24
In a major breakthrough, the Chhattisgarh police has arrested six persons, including self-styled Naxal commander Barsa Lakhma, who were allegedly involved in the gunning down of 76 security personnel here last month.

"We have arrested six persons in two different incidents, including Lakhma last night from Morpali, 4 km from Chintalnar," Superintendent of Police Amresh Mishra said. The six were allegedly involved in the killing of 75 CRPF personnel and one state police constable on April 6, the biggest attack on security personnel in post-Independence era.

The arrested Naxals said the CRPF personnel had become sitting ducks after they lost the wireless set of the killed Deputy Commandant of the 62nd CRPF Battalion. Lakhma told them that the Naxals were keeping a close tab on the movement of the para-military force personnel with the help of the wireless set.

The others arrested included Oyam Hidma, Podiyami Hidma, Kawasi Budra, Oya Ganga and Dura Joga. They were arrested from Minapa village, 5 km from Tarmetla, the SP said.— PTI