There were reports that during the past two months, Maoists had killed about 20 villagers in Narayanpur district of Bastar. However, we have proof of only five villagers killed by the insurgents, Chhattisgarh’s Principal Secretary, Home, BVR Subrahmanyam said on Thursday.
The bodies of those killed cannot be recovered now as they would have been cremated, he told reporters in a crowded press conference at old Police Headquarters here.
He said that Maoists have suffered heavy damages in the insurgency-hit regions of Chhattisgarh and they are now on the back-foot.
‘Bastar region is witnessing rapid development in the form of roads, telephone lines and banking services being provided in the region’, Subrahmanyam stated.
The Principal Secretary also detailed about various successful anti-insurgency operations and developmental works underway in Bastar region.
During the past six months, particularly after the last monsoon season, anti-Naxal operations were reinvigorated in rebel zones. Security forces have eliminated about 56 insurgents in various anti-Naxal operations carried out in Bastar during this period, he said while adding that police had also suffered losses in the form of 11 police personnel getting marytred.
Highlighting development activities underway in insurgency-hit regions, Subrahmanyam informed that despite strong Maoist opposition, a network of roads is being developed in the hinterlands of Bastar.
The roads are reaching Naxal stronghold regions like Jagargunda, Chintalnar, Chintagufa and areas that are believed as Maoist headquarters in Bastar, he mentioned.
Currently, 73 mobile towers are functioning in Bastar that has improved connectivity with remote regions like Kistaram, Jagargunda and other pockets, Subrahmanyam said.
Detailing about banking facilities coming up in Bastar region, the Principal Secretary informed that at 150 spots, new bank branches or ATMs are being installed.
Replying to the security concern of these facilities, he said that bank/ATM/mobile towers are being set up in police camp or police stations.
Another major factor working in making anti-Naxal operations successful is the high morale of police personnel. The State Government has hiked the salary and allowances of police personnel working in insurgency-hit regions. Their salary has been increased by 50 percent, he informed.
In case if any police personnel achieving martyrdom, their family members receive financial assistance of `54 lakh, he pointed out.