5 of 8 cops killed in Bijapur blast former Naxalites

Of the eight security personnel who lost their lives in a Maoist blast in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district a day ago, five had joined the police force after quitting Naxalism.

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Head Constable Budhram Korsa, constables Dumma Markam, Pandaru Ram, Baman Sodhi, all belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and constable Somdu Vetti of Bastar Fighters were earlier active as Naxalites and joined the police force after they surrendered, IGP (Bastar range) Sundarraj P said.

Korsa and Sodhi were natives of Bijapur district, while three others hailed from adjoining Dantewada district, he said. Last year, 792 Naxalites had surrendered in Bastar region, comprising seven districts, he said.