States Reports : Chhattisgarh

Mobilise opinion against Naxal
violence – Dr. Raman Singh
Chhattisgarh CM demands more
Central forces to curb menace

In the Standing Committee meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxalite affected States presided over by Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Chhattisgarh CM Dr. Raman Singh made many important points

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Dr. Raman Singh, urged the development of national public opinion against naxalite violence. He impressed upon the participants that naxalism had become a national concern and a common strategy is necessary to counter the growing naxal problem.

Dr. Singh expressed these views at the standing committee meeting of Chief Minister ‘s of Naxalite affected states in New Delhi. Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil, Rural Development Minister Dr. Raghuvansh Pratap Singh, Tribal Welfare Minister Mr. P.R.Kindiya, Chief Minister ‘s of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Maharastra and Jharkhand and Minister from other states were also present.

CM stated that the State Government needed 15 more battalions of CPMFs for the protection of villagers involved in public movement and police operations. He said that the magnitude of naxalite problem had been discussed from time to time, but a review of requirement of forces trained in guerrilla warfare is also necessary. State Government is strengthening the force using its limited resources, but a serious evaluation is also needed at the national level. Naxalites used to project themselves as a well-wisher of common man and claimed the support of masses. But recent incidents of violence and public uprising has exploded this myth. Extensive nation wide publicity against violence and terror tactics adopted by the naxalites for retaining the public support is necessary. Chhattisgarh Government has launched a campaign against naxalites. Efforts are being made to solve socio-economic problems and develop necessary infrastructure in the affected areas.

The people of South Bastar, severely affected by naxalite violence, have started the movement named “SLWA JUDUM meaning peace mission. Many incidents of murder by blasting of landmines, kidnapping and firing have taken place. More than 46 thousand displaced villagers during the movement have taken shelter in 27 temporary relief camps. Therefore the Chhattisgarh Government has decided to spend a large part of planning funds in tribal areas. It has taken a serious note of implementing developmental schemes, providing security and rehabilitation of villagers who have mustered courage against naxalites. The movement SALWA JUDUM has improved the intelligence network of police and stopped the recruitment drive of the naxalites. To improve security arrangements of villages in these areas, special police officers are being appointed. More than four thousand special police officers have been appointed till date. Police is making adequate security arrangements during the public awareness meetings .Two separate tribal development authorities have been constituted for tribal areas in northern and southern parts of the State.

Govt. has setup a Food Security Fund for which an initial grant of Rs. Fifteen crores has been made for proper functioning of public distribution scheme. State Government has absolved 2.5 lakh tribals from petty forest offences by writing off an amount of Rs. Thirteen crores, thereby relieving them of the pain they had been undergoing for over fifty years. Chief Minister stated that the state Government requires services of helicopters to take quick action on the information against naxalites and for evacuation of casualties. He demanded that Chhattisgarh must be provided with a special package of police modernization grant so that police can be made more efficient to take effective action against the naxalites . He reiterated his demand for a national level concerted campaign to smash the evil designs of naxalites.