Friday, September 29 2006 17:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Chhattisgarh witnessed a sharp rise in Naxal violence in the first eight months of 2006 even as attacks by the Maoist rebels registered a marginal decline in other states.

Latest statistics available with the Union Home Ministry show that incidents of Maoist violence came down slightly this year when compared to the figures for last year. Till August this year, 1,013 incidents were reported less than the 1,171 incidents during the same period last year, sources in the ministry said.

But in Chhattisgarh, as many as 469 incidents occurred during this year, almost double of the 265 incidents reported last year.

In terms of casualties, 115 policemen and 401 civilians were killed till August 2006, against the respective figuresof 94 and 364 for last year.

"With the launch of more coordinated operations againstthe rebels, more Naxalites were killed this year. While 144 rebels were killed in the first eight months of last year, 170 were killed during the corresponding period this year," the sources said.

Chhattisgarh witnessed heavy casualties among both security personnel and civilians this year. A total of 66 policemen were killed this year, compared to 21 in the same period last year.

Likewise, as many as 248 civilians were killed till August 2006, against 66 in the same period last year.

However, in terms of percentage, there was a more than 400 per cent increase in the number of Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh this year. Till August last year, eight rebels were killed by security forces while the figure for the corresponding period this year is 38.

In Andhra Pradesh, another state hit by Naxal violence, the number of incidents came down from 412 during the first eight months last year to 132 till August this year.

The number of policemen and civilians killed in Andhra Pradesh also witnessed a decline from 16 to ten, and 149 to 22 respectively during the period under review.

"The number of Naxalites killed there dropped from 111 in 2005 to 90 this year," they added.