Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also handles the Home department, announced that for the first time in anti-Naxalite operations, a Central Committee member of the Maoist group has been killed in an encounter.
Speaking to reporters in Raipur, Sharma shared that the encounter has been ongoing for two days and is still continuing. The Maoist leader killed in the operation, Jai Ram, had a cash reward of Rs 1 crore from multiple states, including Chhattisgarh.
Sharma explained that the killing of a Central Committee member likely means other high-ranking members and a large number of Maoist fighters were at the site, and some of them were also killed. He called it a significant achievement for the police and the state.
Since the BJP government, led by Vishnu Deo Sai, took office in December 2024, over 260 Maoists have been killed, 870 have surrendered, and more than 1,000 have been arrested. Sharma emphasised that joint operations with neighbouring states would continue, as the Naxalite movement crosses state borders.
He also urged Maoists to surrender and join society, stating that the government doesn't want to shoot them. A rehabilitation policy for those who surrender has been reintroduced.
Also Read: Maoist with ₹1 cr bounty killed; Amit Shah calls it major win
While there has been a lot of Naxalite activity on the borders between Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra, Sharma mentioned that fewer operations were carried out along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. These operations will now be strengthened.
Sharma expressed confidence that the situation will improve soon, and peace will be restored. He praised the Union Home Minister for his efforts to end Naxalism and compared it to the success in reducing insurgency in northeast India.
Sharma believes that with the guidance of Amit Shah and Chief Minister Sai, Naxalism will be eradicated not just in Chhattisgarh, but across the country.
Also Read: Who was Chalapati, the Maoist with ₹1 crore bounty?
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