Police officer shot dead by Maoists

     Dantewada, December 19, 2009: Maoists today shot dead a police officer in a crowded market place in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

     Assistant Police Sub Inspector Balram Patel was shot at and killed by the Maoists in Tumnar weekly market, Police said here.

     Police forces immediately reached the spot but failed to capture any of the assailants, they said.

     Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh has condemned the incident and expressing his deep sorrow over the death of the police officer and said it was a cowardice and shameful incident committed by the Maoists.