Large blast kills 24 security personnel in India

From the The Hindu
New Delhi, Sept 4. (PTI): Concerned over the killing of 24 security personnel in a landmine blast by naxalites in Chattisgarh, the Centre today said it will make a comprehensive review of the situation in the state and decide on counter measures.
"The Home ministry will make comprehensive review of the Naxlite situation in Chattisgarh with senior officers of the state government and decide on appropriate counter measures," a spokesman of the Home Ministry said.
He also said that the Centre has strongly condemned yesterday's incident and conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families of the security personnel.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil has condemned the incident, the spokesman added.
As many as 24 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed in Bijapur when naxalites triggered a landmine killing 24 security personnel including 22 CRPF personnel.
24 killed in blast
Earlier today, naxals triggered a powerful landmine in Bijapur police district killing 24 security men, including 22 CRPF personnel.
Twenty two personnel belonging to 87th battalion of CRPF and two from the District Force of Bijapur Police travelling in an anti-land mine vehicle were killed in the blast near Padeda village, about 12 kms from Bijapur, on Saturday evening, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh told PTI.
"The impact of the blast was so strong that the vehicle, in which the security men were travelling, was blown to pieces," Singh said adding that he has convened a high level meeting in the evening to consider clamping a ban on the Communist Party of India-Maoist among other things.
Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam and state Director General of police have rushed to the village.
The government may ban naxals
The Chattisgarh government is considering imposition of a ban on naxlaites today,
A high level meeting is to review the situation in wake of the fresh naxal attack and decide whether to ban the CPI (Maoist) and its other frontal organisations, Singh said.
The meeting would be attended by DGP, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister apart from Singh and Netam.
Who are the Naxalites?
The Naxalites, also sometimes called the Naxals, is a loose term used to define groups waging a violent struggle on behalf of landless labourers and tribal people against landlords and others. The Naxalites say they are fighting oppression and exploitation to create a classless society. Their opponents say the Naxalites are terrorists oppressing people in the name of a class war.
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