About 30 Maoists and six police personnel were killed in a series of gun battles in South Bastar region of Chhattisgarh since September 17. Police sources indicated that the CPI (Maoist) has suffered a major blow as a result of the ongoing operations ‘Operation Greenhunt’ in Dantewada district1.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram stated on September 14 that CPI (Maoists) were “keenly seeking ideological resonance and tactical understanding with the North East insurgents” to expand their network and influence2.

• 1. “Maoists suffer major blow in Chhattisgarh,” Hindu, September 20, 2009, at http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/20/stories/2009092059410900.htm
• 2. “Maoists tie up with NE UGs: PC,” Sangai Express, September 15, 2009, at http://thesangaiexpress.com/News_pages/Local_page-07.html