Date:22/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/22/stories/2006052205660600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Maoists torch four buses, two vans

Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM: Naxalites of the CPI (Maoist) torched four buses and two vans near Gollagudem in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday. Two buses of the APSRTC bound for Hyderabad via Bhadrachalam were among the vehicles burnt by the Maoists.

Some 200 people, including women and children, were stranded in the forest route for many hours. They reached Kunta village near Chintoor of Khammam on foot around noon.

The Maoists resorted to arson as part of the their bandh which came to a close on Sunday demanding an end to Salva Judum — the State-sponsored anti-naxalite campaign.

The Maoists were on the rampage targeting the communication network in the area. A woman Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with the police in the Nallamala forest.