New Delhi, May 18 (ANI): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Asian Centre for Human Rights on Tuesday condemned the Maoist attack that killed over 30 people in Chhattisgarh''s Dantewada District, saying it only highlights the ''bankrupt'' policies of the left extremist organization, which violate international humanitarian law and constitute war crime.

"The attack on a private passenger bus by the Maoists only highlights their bankrupt policies of attacking ordinary citizens in various parts of the country, including tribals who refuse to accept their dictates," the Party Polit Bureau said in a statement.

The CPI-M has appealed to the people to raise their voice against the ''murderous'' attack on locals and their livelihood and resist their ''depredations'' against peaceful citizens.

""Any attack by the Maoists cannot be condoned. Such attacks on civilians violates international humanitarian law and constitute war crime under Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court," stated Suhas Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.

"This is not the first dastardly attack on civilians by the Maoists which is a clear violation of the Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions," he added.

The Asian Centre for Human Rights urged the Maoists not to attack civilians. It also recommended that security forces should not travel on civilian buses as this increases the risk to the lives of the civilians.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh went on top alert in the wake of the killing by Naxalites in Dantewada and a two-day shutdown called by the ultras from Tuesday to protest the anti-Maoist operations by the security forces. 

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said the Naxal attack in Dantewada District showed their desperation.

He said the Maoists, who were losing support base, acted desperately.  

"This incident shows the cruel face of the Naxals. We have been saying this... when the Naxals support base finishes they resort to such methods. Their (Naxals) belief in people''s representatives and local population has finished," said Singh.

He said it is difficult for the State Government to deploy security personnel in every village.  

"There cannot be police personnel in every village. There are 20 thousand villages," Singh said.  

He claimed that as the security forces are gaining grounds at many places, the security cover would be enhanced gradually.

The attack is the second in little over a month after 76 security personnel were killed on April 6 in Dantewada District.  

The Naxals attacked a bus carrying passengers from Gadiras to Bhusaras in Dantewada district.

Naxals blew up the bus using Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at around 4.45 p.m.  

The blast incident took place a day after the Maoists called for a 48-hour shutdown in the five states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. (ANI)