Eight naxals held in Sukma district

Eight naxals were today arrested in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district, police said.

The cadres were picked up by a joint team of security forces during a search operation in Fulbagdi police station area, said Sukma Superintendent of Police Abhishek Meena.

The personnel belonging to Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), District Reserve Guard (DRG) and district force were involved in the operation, he said.

Of the arrested, Madkam Kona (29), Padami Joga (30), Padami Sukkam (22), Padami Bheema (37), Padam Kosa (24), Padami Handa (23) and Padami Joga (32) were active as militia members while Kawasi Lakhma (30) was a member of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangthan (DAKMS)- a frontal wing of Maoists, he said.

"They all were allegedly involved in triggering an improvised explosive device (IED) blast on January 18 this year in Madopara forests wherein one jawan was injured," said Meena.

The ultras were also allegedly involved in killing a villager, identified as Durro Handa, on March 20 in Dhurguda village in the area, he said.