Indian police say hundreds of Maoist rebels have raided a government relief camp in the central state of Chhattisgarh, killing at least 25 people and wounding many more.

State authorities say the attack took place early Monday in Dantewada district, some 500 kilometers south of the state capital, Raipur.

They say between 400 and 500 guerillas were involved in the attack. The camp houses nearly 4,000 villagers who had fled their homes in fear of the rebels. Some of the villagers are missing.

The Maoists are active in several eastern and central Indian states.

The rebels claim to be inspired by the teachings of Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong. They say they are fighting for the rights of India's poor and landless farmers.