In Chhattisgarh, the recent encounter that reportedly led to the death of 29 Naxals has sparked a major controversy. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress party has raised suspicions about the legitimacy of the encounter, suggesting that some of those killed might have been innocent villagers mistakenly labeled as Naxals.
This has been a recurring issue in the state, where accusations of fake encounters have surfaced repeatedly during the BJP's tenure.
The state's current Congress Chief, Deepak Baij, supported Baghel’s allegations, pressing the government for clarity on whether the deceased were indeed all Naxals.
He emphasized the serious repercussions if any innocent tribal had been mistakenly killed, highlighting the potential for significant unrest among tribal communities.
The response from the BJP has been sharp. State Deputy CM Vijay Sharma defended the operation, criticizing the Congress for questioning the integrity of the security forces and dismissing the allegations as baseless.
He maintained that all killed were confirmed Naxals and a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from them, indicating the legitimacy of the security operation.
The encounter, which lasted about four hours, was described by IG Bastar P Sundarraj as one of the largest recent operations against Maoists. He detailed the recovery of bodies and weapons, noting that autopsies and further investigations were ongoing.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tension in Chhattisgarh, a state plagued by Naxal violence and political strife. The Congress’ demand for a thorough investigation into the encounter reflects broader concerns about human rights and the treatment of tribal populations in conflict zones. As elections approach, such incidents bring to the fore the critical debate over security and governance in Naxal-affected regions.
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