Raipur: Bodies of 29 policemen killed by Maoists have been recovered from Rajnandgaon, the site of the biggest Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh in recent times.
The incident has put the Raman Singh government on the backfoot, but the chief minister says his government will review their strategy to take the Maoists on with greater force. Meanwhile, combing operations are on to fight the cadre in the area.
"It is an unfortunate incident for all of us, for the country. These incidents only show the cowardly nature of the Maoists," said Raman Singh.
The attack was planned as retaliation to the massive operation launched by the Special Task Force against Maoists in Rajnandgaon district for some time now.
According to intelligence sources, the Special Task Force had information that three companies of Maoists had gathered in the area. The government had sent in reinforcements as well. But on Sunday morning, the police team was taken by surprise at the Madanwara camp.
All patrolling teams had left for the forest, when Maoist cadre killed two policemen close to the camp as bait. When Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Choubey and his team went to the spot, the Maoists surrounded them, killing 29 people.
A worried Raman Singh now wants to review the government's strategy to tackle Maoists.
"We will forget these sacrifices, if we do not make the right strategies to deal with the Maoists," said Raman Singh.
After operating mostly in remote and rural areas, the Maoists have recently stepped up attacks against security forces near towns and cities, an indication that they are now prepared to take on the state government closer home.