Raipur, May 21 - Demanding a complete halt to 'Operation Greenhunt' in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, Maoists have announced to observe week-long protests from June 1, besides giving a call for 'Dandakaranya Bandh' on June 7.

In a message sent to media, Maoists have claimed that the Operation Greenhunt was being carried out in the state for the past two and half years.

Calling the Operation Greenhunt "a country-wide war", the Maoists claimed that it was intended to eliminate them and their movement.

Saying that Army had been roped in this "war", which was being carried out "under the name of training", the ultras added that Air Force choppers were being deployed in this operation and an air-base was being set up in the region.

Opposing to give away any land to the Army in Dandakaranya forest region, the Naxals said that they had decided to observe a protest-week in the first week of June and have also called for Dandakaranya Bandh on June 7.

While the Naxals are opposing Operation Greenhunt, the state government said that no such operation was being carried out in Chhattisgarh. PTI