"How long Bastar's people be held captive?": Chhattisgarh DyCM hails Naxal encounter in Sukma

"Government is ready if they (Naxals) want to hold dialogue. But schools, power, water and roads will have to be brought to villages. How long will the people of Bastar be held captive?" the deputy CM told ANI.

"Where there was talks of removing the camps in Kanker district as the region stabilised, people protested against it, saying that if the camps get removed then they (Naxals) will come back again and make our life difficult," he added.

He also mentioned that next month a "huge event" is going to be organised in Bastar in which central leaders along with CM and others will be present.

"Next month, in December, central leadership is also going to come to Bastar. CM too would go to that event. A huge event will be organised in Bastar. The soldiers, women are with us. Even people also say that something like naxalism should not exist," he said.

He also expressed confidence in the mission of union government and union home minister Amit Shah to eradicate naxalism by March 2026 and said that the area will be free of the "red terror."

Earlier in the morning, that broke out between the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district.

Inspector General (IG) Bastar, P Sundarraj shared the development and said, "10 Naxals killed in an encounter with DRG in southern Sukma, Chhattisgarh. INSAS, AK-47, SLR and several other weapons were recovered."

The security forces have recovered all the ten bodies.

Speaking on the operation, Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai said that his government is working on the policy of zero tolerance towards Naxalism. He also said that ensuring development, peace and security of citizens in Bastar is the top priority of his government. He said that the era of peace, development and progress has returned to Bastar.

He also congratulated the security forces for their courage and dedication, saying that the elimination of Naxalites from Chhattisgarh is certain. (ANI)