37 Maoists, 17 civilians, 6 security personnel: Casualties mount as anti-Naxal ops pick up pace in Chhattisgarh

Six Maoists, including two women, were killed by security forces in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Wednesday, days after three villagers were murdered on suspicion of being police informers.

So far this year, 37 Maoists, 17 civilians and six security personnel have been killed in Chhattisgarh. This marks an escalation in the fight against Naxalism — last year, 24 Maoists and 25 security personnel were killed in the state.

Inspector General of Police for Bastar range, Sundarraj P, also said that 167 Maoists have been arrested and 116 have surrendered so far this year.

Speaking to The Indian Express recently, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “In the previous Congress government, the anti-Naxal operation was very weak. In fact, we heard that Naxals used to say this is our government. But when BJP came to power our double engine sarkar strengthened the fight. Our Home Minister (Vijay Sharma) is also concerned about it. But we have also taken a path where if any Maoists want to surrender, then we will do fair justice with them. Also, the doors are open for them (Maoists) too. We can have a dialogue provided they give up the language of using guns and join the mainstream of development.”