Villager killed in Maoist IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

RAIPUR: A 35-year-old man was killed in a Maoist IED blast in Dantewada district on Monday.

The victim, Manaru Akaali, lived in Kaushalnar and had gone to Kohkabeda forest, 275km from Raipur, to collect firewood in the morning. He stepped on a pressure-activated mine planted by Maoists and was killed instantly.

Maoists claim their IEDs are meant to target security forces but plant them in areas where villagers, even children, routinely venture into. Even forest paths, which locals use, aren't spared.

A mother and child were blown up in Jan this year, and two children were killed in May.

Maoists claim they inform locals about IEDs planted near their villages but these days, they most often don't.

At least seven civilians, including three children, have been killed and 10 injured in Maoist IED blasts in Bastar division this year.

The actual toll may be higher as villagers in remote areas are too scared to report even deaths to police.