India's Government Comes under Pressure over Maoist Insurgency

India's Government Comes under Pressure over Maoist Insurgency

India 's government came under renewed pressure Tuesday to beef up its fight against an increasingly violent Maoist insurgency after rebels killed 35 people in a landmine attack on a bus.

Monday's explosion in the central state of Chhattisgarh tore the front off the bus, killing 24 civilians and 11 police personnel, AFP reports.

Home Minister P Chidamabaram wants a larger mandate, thought to include the use of air power to fight the Maoists. Thousands have died in the rebels' decades-long fight against the state.

Meanwhile, a two-day strike called by the rebels in protest at an offensive against them is affecting life in parts of central and eastern India, BBC News informs.