Monday, September 12 2005 19:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Giridih (Jharkhand): In the first major strike this year in Jharkhand, the Maoists killed 15 villagers and injured six others at Bhelbadari village in Giridih district last night (Sept 11, 2005).

Around 300 extremists raided the village near Bhinwaghati under Deuri police station and attacked the villagers with gunfire and sharp weapons, according to police sources.

Most of the victims were the members of the village defence committee set up to oppose the dictates of the Maoists in the remote village.

According to eyewitnesses, the ultras slit the throats of some while pumped bullets on others.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, who visited the spot and Governor Syed Sibtey Razi condemned the attack.

Munda described the incident as 'inhuman and ruthless' orchestrated against the weakest persons of the society and said the ultras were a frustrated lot following rejection by the people.

"We will probe into the incident and take drastic action against the perpetrators", Munda said.

The police chief, B D Ram, said the extremists were frustrated with the recent arrests of their zonal, sub-zonal and area commanders. It seemed a reprisal attack following people's rejection of extremism.

The security forces launched a massive combing operation in various parts of Giridih, the police said.

Home Secretary J B Tubid said the village defence committee had been resisting the extremists.