Insurgents blow up two schools in eastern India

Oct 27, 2009, 8:44 GMT

   New Delhi - Suspected Maoist rebels blew up two schools in eastern Jharkhand state and killed a trader accused of being a police informer in central Chhattisgarh state, news reports said Tuesday.

   The rebels detonated explosives early Tuesday inside two state-run schools in Giridih district on Jharkhand, damaging the structures, PTI news agency reported.

   There were no reports of casualties, according to police.

Insurgents routinely trigger blasts at schools used as shelters by government forces in their operations against the rebels.

   In neighbouring Chhattisgarh state, the rebels killed a trader late Monday in the Bhopalpattanam area, about 500 kilometres north of state capital Raipur.

   Sheikh Ahmed, 44, a hosiery shop owner, was kidnapped earlier in October. His body was found on a road in the area Monday, IANS news agency reported quoting police.

   Pamphlets found at the site where the body was dumped claimed the trader was acting as a police informer.

   Rebels have increased their actions against suspected informers, security personnel and government installations in recent months as the government gears up to launch a major military offensive.

   The operation is expected to begin in November, led by police in the affected states and supported by federal military forces, according to the Home Ministry.

   The rebels claim they are leading an armed rebellion to secure the rights of the poor and marginalized. They operate in some of India's poorest districts, specially forested land populated by tribal people that have seen little development.

   At least 2,671 people - including civilians, security personnel and rebels - have been killed in incidents related to Maoist violence in India since 2006, according to Home Ministry data.