By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Amit Shah declared, “The government’s offensive policy and the efforts of security forces have allowed naxalism to be restricted to a small area.”
On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed security personnel after 29 Naxals were killed in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district.
“Today, a big number of Naxalites were slain during a security operation in Chhattisgarh. I applaud all of the security people who made this operation a success through their bravery and hope the brave police officers who were injured a speedy recovery,” the minister posted on ‘X’ in Hindi.
According to Shah, Naxalism has been confined to a narrow area as a result of the government’s offensive approach and security forces’ efforts. He stated that Chhattisgarh and the rest of India will soon be rid of Naxals.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we are determined to free the country from the scourge of Naxalism,” Shah stated.
The shootout between Naxals and security personnel occurred in a forest near Binagunda village, which is part of Kanker’s Chhotebethiya police station jurisdiction. A Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) coordinated operation was underway to combat Naxalism.
“While the operation was still ongoing, the BSF team came under fire from CPI Maoist cadres, and BSF personnel effectively retaliated against them. One BSF personnel was shot in the leg during the engagement and is now safe after being evacuated, according to a BSF statement.
Since December 2023, 68 Naxals have been killed in separate clashes with security forces in Bastar’s seven districts, including Kanker.
The Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will vote in the first phase on April 19, while the Kanker constituency, which is part of the Bastar area, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26. Vote counting will take held on June 4.