large part of Bastar free of Naxalism menace: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel

Claiming that a major portion of the Bastar region was now free of naxal insurgency, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday hailed the security forces for their successes against the rebels.He was addressing a gathering of state police and paramilitary personnel on the occasion of New Year at Police Parade Ground here.His government has changed Chhattisgarh’s image as an insurgency-affected state, Baghel said.

“I am happy that our police have been doing excellent work in naxal-affected areas. Naxalism is not just a law and order problem, but also a political and social problem. Security forces have set up camps in Maoist strongholds which pushed the rebels on the back foot,” the chief minister was quoted as saying in an official release.“Now the forest-dwellers, mostly tribals (in naxal-affected areas), consider security personnel as their friends and understand that security personnel have been deployed there for their own safety.

“This all could become possible because the police are helping locals, and development works, including the construction of roads, bridges and culverts, are taking place. A major portion of Bastar has got rid of the naxal menace,” Baghel said.Earlier, when it came to Chhattisgarh, people outside the state spoke only about naxalism, “but our government has changed this thinking and this image of the state,” he said.

Now people look at Bastar with hope of development as amenities like roads, hospitals, schools, PDS (ration) shops are reaching the area, claimed Baghel, who became chief minister in 2018.“Our strategy is to eliminate naxalism and carry out development without shedding blood,” he added.