Expressing deep concern over alleged killing of villagers in Bastar region and alleged atrocities by security personnel, Opposition Congress members on Friday created pandemonium in the Chhattisgarh Assembly while accusing the State Government of failing to handle law and order situation in insurgency-hit districts.
The Opposition members demanded discussion on alleged killing of villagers and atrocities by security personnel in Bastar by moving adjournment motion notice.
After Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal rejected the adjournment motion notice, the Opposition staged a walkout and eventually boycotted the proceedings.
Raising the issue of alleged killing of villagers by ultras and atrocities by security forces in Bastar region (after Question Hour), members of Congress legislative Party (ClP) led by Bhupesh Baghel said the State government is not giving appropriate answer over the killing of tribals in insurgency-hit Narayanpur district.
“The State Government and officials are giving contradictory statements. People in Bastar are facing wrath of insurgents as well as security personnel. Tribal women are raped and the region is lacking law and order arrangement,” alleged Baghel.
Opposing the adjournment motion notice moved by Congress members, Higher Education Minister Prem Prakash Pandey said that no separate discussion on the issue is required as the discussion on Governor’s speech is listed in the House business.
later, the issue was jointly raised by leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo and Congress member Satyanarayan Sharma while terming the alleged incident as ‘sensitive and serious’.
Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal rejected the adjournment motion notice and said sufficient time will be provided for discussions on the issue during discussion on Governor's speech.
Unhappy with the ruling, Congress members started shouting slogans following which the Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes.
When the House resumed, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ajay Chandrakar (who is temporarily holding the responsibility of Home) stated that “It is not correct that Bastar division is under Naxal menace and insurgents are killing innocent villagers. Contrary to this, anti-naxal operations carried out by security forces during the last six months has witnessed significant success. In aforementioned period, as many as 65 ultras were gunned down by security personnel in 119 encounters that took place in the region.”
Similarly, it is also incorrect that Maoists have killed a large number of villagers of Chhattisgarh in during the last few days, said Chandrakar, elaborating that between September 1 , 2015 till date, around 23 villagers were killed by rebels in the State.
He further added that around four villagers were killed in Narayanpur district during the last 10 days and body of one person was recovered.
According to Chandrakar, security forces deployed in the State, particularly in Bastar region, are undertaking intense operations which showcase the strong commitment of Chhattisgarh Government towards weeding out Naxalism. Besides, hitting the morale of ultras, consecutive success of forces has created safe environment in the region and provided momentum to ongoing developmental works.
In response to the statement of Chandrakar, leader of Opposition TS Singhdeo said the State government and top brass of the State are giving contradictory statements in connection with killing of villagers in Bastar region.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the statement of Chandrakar, Congress members staged a walkout out and boycotted the proceedings of the day. later, they also staged a demonstration near the status of Mahatma Gandhi in the Assembly premises.
As the members of Opposition did not turn up to take part in the discussion on the speech of Governor, Speaker adjourned the House proceedings till March 8.