Leftist Group in India Suspected of Land-Mine Attack; 23 Police Killed
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BHOPAL, India — A land mine planted by suspected left-wing extremists exploded in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, killing 23 police officers, officials said.
Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility, police blamed the attack on the People’s War Group.
The victims were riding in a police van when the explosion occurred. One police officer was seriously injured, police said.
On Friday, 22 police officers were killed when their posts came under attack from suspected rebels.
The outlawed PWG has intensified attacks since the Dec. 2 deaths of its three top commanders.
The PWG is fighting to carve out a homeland in several states. It accuses rich farm owners of exploiting poor laborers by often denying them fair wages, grabbing their property and raping women.
The rebels often target police and government officials whom they accuse of conniving with farm owners.
In the past decade, more than 150 people have been killed in PWG violence in Madhya Pradesh, the Times of India said.
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