Chhattisgarh: Security forces neutralise 10 Naxals, including top commander Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna

Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 25 (HBTV): Security forces have neutralised 10 Naxals, including senior commander and Central Committee member Manoj alias Modem Balkrishna, during an encounter in Gariyaband district, officials said.

Earlier in the day, Inspector General (IG) Raipur Range Amresh Mishra stated that an encounter was underway between security forces and Naxals in Gariyaband, with intermittent exchange of fire. He said a few Naxals were likely killed. More details are awaited.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, security forces neutralised one Naxal in an encounter in the Kanker-Narayanpur border area. Officials identified him as a member of PLGA Military Company 05, carrying a reward of INR 8 lakh on his head. The encounter took place in the hilly jungle area of Gedabeda village under Partapur Police Station. A .303 rifle and a walkie-talkie were recovered from the site.

Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, said that despite difficult geographical conditions and harsh weather, police and security forces deployed in Bastar were working with complete devotion to protect life and property in line with the intentions of the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh.

He appealed to Maoist cadres to accept that Maoism was on the verge of ending. ‘Now the time has come for them to abandon the path of violence and join the mainstream by taking advantage of the government's rehabilitation policy. If they continue illegal and violent activities, they will have to face severe consequences,’ he said.

Recently, in Bijapur district of Bastar, 30 Naxals surrendered and were rehabilitated. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said the surrender and rehabilitation was the result of the state government's policy, the efforts of security forces, and ongoing development work.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, ‘In Bijapur in the Bastar region, 30 Naxalites have been rehabilitated. This is one of the largest numbers so far. This is the result of the Chhattisgarh government's rehabilitation policy, the bravery of the jawans, and the government's development works. We repeatedly appeal to the Naxalites to join the mainstream and improve their lives.’

(ANI)