New Delhi: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on December 8 praises the efforts of security forces and police in containing the Maoist-insurgency in the state.
Addressing a presser in Rajnandgaon, CM Sai hails the surrender of 12 Maoists including central committee member Ramdher who was heading Maoist’s MMC zone and carrying a bounty of Rs 1.05 crore, terming it ‘historic’.
The CM noted that Chhattisgarh has been long affected by Naxalism which thwarted its development and the security personnel have fought bravely to contain it in the state.
He mentioned that during the two-year tenure of his government, security forces have achieved notable success against Maoists with more than 4000 surrender and arrest of Naxalites.
He said that the state has introduced a good rehabilitation policy which is yielding fruitful results. The CM also noted that more than 500 Maoists have been neutralised in encounters in the past two years.
Focus on development and rehabilitation
CM Sai mentioned that the state government has allocated 15000 Pradhan Mantri Aawas (PM Aawas) for those who have joined the mainstream. He added that development projects worth one crore are sanctioned immediately for villages/Panchayats declaring itself Naxal-free.
He noted that special provisions have been made in the state’s new industrial policy 2024-30 to benefit Naxal-victims and those who are shunning the path of violence.
He informed that the state government is also focused on skill development of those joining the mainstream and providing them with financial assistance and training at skilling centers.
Speaking about welfare schemes, CM Sai stated that residents of more than 400 remote villages are being benefitted with the flagship ‘Niyad Nellanar’ schemes meaning ‘yours good village’.
“Facilities like roads, electricity, ration cards and water are being provided to residents of more than 400 villages under the scheme. Hospitals are being setup there and the residents are being distributed with free ration,” said CM Sai.
He added that many villages have hosted the independence day celebrations for the first time since independence day.
“Niyad Nellanar has changed the picture of Bastar and now the region echoes with school bells and not gunshots,” he said.
He mentioned that the government is also strengthening the telecommunication services in these regions.
CM Sai underscored that the government is already working on the development of Bastar and it will gain more pace in coming times with special attention given on agriculture and forest produce.
He also spoke about the tourism potential in the state especially in Surguja and Bastar, noting that the state is home to waterfalls, ancient caves like Kutumsar and densely forested pockets like Abujhamd.
CM Sai said Naxalism is retreating from Bastar and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah it will be eradicated completely within the announced deadline.
Chhattisgarh deputy CM Vijay Sharma and senior official of the state police and security forces were also present on the occasion.
Interacting with media, deputy CM Sharma stated that “it’s a big development as Ramdher was the only central committee member from Chhattisgarh other than Madvi Hidma.”
“With surrender of Ramdher, Maoist’s MCC zone has been almost cleaned up as members of the special zonal committee have already surrender arms,” he added.
A resident of Bijpaur district, Ramdher alias Soma surrender before the authorities in Rajnandgaon on Monday. His surrender marks a major setback for the Maoist group in MCC zone, most of whose commanders have already surrender arms lately.
