Communist rebels kill 7 villagers in central India

INDIA: Suspected communist rebels killed seven villagers and injured three others during an overnight raid in central India, police said Tuesday.

The seven were killed - some shot, others stabbed or beaten to death - because the rebels suspected them of helping government forces in the Chattisgarh state village of Konta, 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Raipur, the state capital, said G. Naik, the inspector-general of police.

The guerrillas have been targeting the area's villagers in recent months for taking part in demonstrations against rebel violence.

Chattisgarh has become a frequent scene of violence by the militants, known as Naxalites, who claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong and have been fighting for more than two decades, demanding land and jobs for agricultural laborers and the poor. More than 6,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

The Press Trust of India news agency said the suspected rebels also kidnapped 25 villagers, but released 18 later. They also looted and burned some homes in the village, PTI said.

The rebels have often targeted police and government officials whom they accuse of colluding with landlords and rich farmers to exploit the poor.

The rebels are mainly active in six of India's 28 states - Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Karnataka, Orissa and Chattisgarh.

New Delhi,Wednesday,AP