Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 20 : Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao on Thursday stated that the State government had been working towards eliminating Naxalites.
Further, he stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had resolved to eliminate Naxalism by 2047.
Speaking to ANI, Sao said, "This is a big success for the soldiers. Ever since our government was formed, we have been working towards eliminating the Naxalites. Under the leadership of PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah has resolved to completely eliminate Naxalism by 2047. Killing 30 Naxalites today is a big step towards fulfilling that resolve..."
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma stated that the encounter of the Naxals was a big success for the soldiers.
"The encounter was going on in the Gangaloor area of Bijapur since morning. 26 Naxalites have been killed in the encounter. Four more Naxalites have been killed in the encounter in the Kanker-Narayanpur border area. A total of 30 Naxalites have been killed in the encounter... This is a big success for the soldiers..." Sharma said, speaking to ANI.
Earlier in the day, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo attributed the violence in the state to Naxal groups who refused to abandon violence and arms.
Speaking to ANI, Deo said, "Such incidents are coming to the fore in the encounter against the people of Naxal ideology due to not abandoning violence and continuously taking up arms.
"This comes amid intensified anti-Maoist operations in the state, which have resulted in the elimination of 105 Naxals in encounters so far this year.
Deo highlighted the significant deployment of paramilitary forces in the region, with over 60 battalions stationed in Chhattisgarh. He emphasised that these forces are available in sufficient numbers in the affected areas, underscoring the government's efforts to tackle the Naxal threat.
"Today, more than 60 battalions of paramilitary forces are deployed in Chhattisgarh. Paramilitary forces are available in sufficient numbers in the affected areas," he further added.
The former Deputy CM also met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
22 Naxalites were killed in two separate operations of security forces in Bijapur and Kanker of Chhattisgarh. The security forces neutralised 18 Maoists during an encounter in the forest area at the Bijapur-Dantewada border, Inspector General (IG) Bastar P Sundarraj said.
One personnel of the Bijapur District Reserve Guard also lost his life during the encounter, police added. According to the police, the encounter got underway at 7 am on Thursday.
In the other encounter at the Kanker-Narayanpur border area, security forces gunned down four Naxalites near village Koroskodo in the police station area of Chhotebethiya, Inspector General (IG) Bastar P Sundarraj said.
The security forces have also recovered automatic weapons while the Intermittent firing still continues, police added.