New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) The Centre today strongly condemned the killing of 15 tribals by naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, saying suchbarbaric acts are against all norms of democratic society.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre had asked the state government to contain such inhumane and senseless act of violence. The administration has also been asked to intensify search and combing operations in areas to apprehend the naxalites responsible for the killing of people they had taken as hostages a few days ago.

The Centre is in contant touch with the state government and closely monitoring the situation, the spokesman added.

The bodies of 13 tribals in the 18-35 year age group were found lying this morning on the roadside and nearby areas at the remote Manikonta village on Sukma-Konta road, police said. Two people were hacked to death on Tuesday itself.

More than 50,000 tribals were housed in different relief camps opened by the state government in Dantewada district after the anti-naxal campaign 'Salwa Judum' was launched in June last. The tribals, caught in the hostilities between ultras and security forces, have deserted their villages and taken shelter in camps.

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