GAYA: Over 20 suspected radical leftist extremists have been arrested in connection with the killing of 37 people in Bara village of Gaya District in the state of Bihar in eastern India late Wednesday, police sources said Friday,

A thousand strong group of Maoist communist Centre (MCC) shopped down on the village at 2100 Hrs on Wednesday and set ablaze 15 houses. The men from these houses were herded to a nearby canal where some were hacked to death and the rest shot dead.

Police, meanwhile, reached the village and in the ensuing encounter with the MCC some activists were also killed, but their number was not known,

Two companies of Paramilitary forces have been pressed into service in Gaya District and another company has been rushed to the adjoining Jehanabad District in view of mounting tension, the sources said,

Union Minister of State for home MM. Jacob who visited Bara village Thursday asked the Bihar Government 10 take effective measures to contain the growing. Menace of left extremism in its five Districts. He said though the Centre had warned the state government in advance about the rising menace, it failed to act an protect the life and property of the people,

Jacob said three companies of Paramilitary forces had been airlifted to the state and two more Companies are on their way by twain, He said these forces should be deployed in areas where the extremists posed a threat.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1992