‘Complete freedom from Maoism’: Amit Shah vows a day after 29 rebels killed

New Delhi:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to make Chhattisgarh and the entire country “completely Maoist-free” and termed the rebel militants as “the biggest enemy of development, peace and a bright future of the youth”.

Shah’s remarks came a day after Chhattisgarh security forces killed 29 Maoists, including senior rebel leader Shankar Rao, in a gunbattle in Kank district ), with a reward of Rs 25 lakh.

The senior BJP leader also congratulated the joint force of the District Reserve Guard and Border Security Force, which suffered non-fatal injuries to three people. The team was led by Presidential Award recipient and “encounter expert” Laxman Kewat, who is credited with killing 44 people.

“…Security forces have killed a large number of Maoists in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate those who successfully completed this operation for their bravery and wish the brave policemen who were injured a speedy recovery,” Mr. Shah posted on social media . X (formerly Twitter).

Today, a large number of Naxalites are killed in operations of security forces in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who bravely completed this operation and wish the brave police officers who were injured a speedy recovery.

Nazism was the cause of development, peace and youth.

— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) April 16, 2024

The home minister pointed to the government’s “offensive policy” in dealing with the Maoist insurgents and said the aggression meant the threat today was limited to smaller areas of the state.

Read | ‘Congratulations to all’: Amit Shah’s big move against Maoists

“The Maoists are the enemy of development, peace and a bright future of the youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are determined to rid the country of (this) menace. Due to the offensive policies of the government and the efforts of the security forces Today it has been restricted to a small area and soon Chhattisgarh and the country will be completely free of Naxalite.”

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the troops on their “huge achievement”.

A joint DRG-BSF team conducted an anti-terrorist operation in the forest near Binagonda village in Kanker on Tuesday. Cellphone video shows the chaotic 20 seconds before the shootout.

Read | Top Maoist leader kills 29 in Chhattisgarh clashes

Chaos began when a soldier spotted movement and opened fire, triggering a flurry of gunfire and warning shouts. A soldier warns his comrades, “Peeche se koi fire nahin karega bhai (No one should shoot from behind),” and the video ends with him repeating the warning.

In addition to killing 29 rebels, the DRG-BSF team also seized a large number of weapons, including Ak-47 and INSAS rifles, as well as .303 carbines and pistols.

Read | Through the jungle and then the gunshots: Footage from Maoist encounters

Apart from the Maoists killed on Tuesday, 79 people have been killed so far this year in gun battles with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, which consists of seven districts including Kanker.

The violence in Kanker occurred days before the Lok Sabha elections; the Bastar seat will go to first round voting on Friday, while the Kanker seat will go to second round voting on April 26.

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