US offers India help to fight Maoists

Chhattisgarh in central India is the worst-affected among at least 13 Indian states battling armed Maoist rebels who say they are fighting for the rights of millions of impoverished peasants and landless labourers.

Thousands have died in Maoist violence in India in the past three decades with a spike in attacks in the past 17 months -- especially landmine blasts -- causing hundreds of deaths.

Two American diplomats made the offer to the state government during a visit on Thursday, Chhattisgarh's Additional Chief Secretary (Home) BKS Ray said.

"They offered assistance in demining and counter-insurgency training of police personnel and they also offered humanitarian relief to the camps for tribals," Ray said.