In yet another daring attack by the Naxals, the banned Maoist ultras on Monday killed at least 13 CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district.
A large number of heavily armed Naxal rebels laid a trap in Chintagufa area of Sukma district where an anti-Naxal operation was on since last ten days. It has been learnt that the home-grown rebels attacked CRPF’s 223 battalion which resulted in the death of its 13 troopers.
Two CRPF officers are among those who have been killed in the ambush in Sukma.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has strongly condemned the Naxal attack in the Sukma district.
Today’s incident also mocks Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh’s recent remark in which he promised to rid the state of the Naxal menace very soon.
“The day is not far when Chhattisgarh will become Naxal-free, thanks to the joint efforts of state government and Centre in wiping out the Maoist menace,” Chief Minister Raman Singh said on Sunday.
Singh conveyed this to a delegation of National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) which called on him here.
The delegation headed by NSAB chairman and ex-Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran met Singh at his official residence and discussed different aspects of Naxalism.
They also discussed the security arrangements and measures being taken for the socio-economic betterment of people in the insurgency-hit region, at the meeting.
“The chief minister informed the board about various welfare schemes of the state government in LWE (Left Wing Extremism) areas, besides the joint efforts of Central armed forces and state police in counter-insurgency operation,” an official statement said.
The board advises Centre on national security after analysing various issues and visits various states in this regard.
Singh told the delegation the Naxal problem has been eradicated from Surguja region (north Chhattisgarh) and remains confined only to certain areas of Bastar and Rajnandgaon.
“The day is not far when the state and Centre will together wipe out the Maoist menace and succeed in making a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh,” the statement quoted Singh as saying.
“Central security forces, state police jawans and officers are fighting the menace of Naxalism with better coordination at every front. During past few months we have achieved some major success in this direction,” the chief minister said referring to a significant number of Naxals laying down their arms and arrest of many cadres.
Singh also said thrust should be given to execution of effective strategies to ensure security for people along with efforts to bring a positive change in their life style.
