Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 11 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday met with victims of Naxalism—individuals who lost body parts due to blasts—at his residence in Raipur. During the meeting, the victims urged that the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in the Karragutta Hills, located on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, be continued.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Sai said the victims had come from various districts, including Sukma, Bijapur and Kanker, and had suffered severe injuries such as the loss of limbs or eyesight due to Naxal-related violence.

‘The victims of Naxalism from various places like Sukma, Bijapur, Kanker and other areas, who got injured or lost a body part, have come to meet me today. Some people have lost their eyes or legs. They are requesting that the ongoing Naxal operation continues in the Karragutta Hills on the border of Chhattisgarh and Telangana,’ the Chief Minister said.

He also alleged that certain institutions attempting to halt the operation have not engaged with the victims themselves.

‘A lot of institutions and people want to stop this operation. But today, many innocent people came here who are suffering due to Naxalism. The people who are trying to stop this operation have not met with these victims,’ Sai added.

The victims have also submitted the same request to Chhattisgarh Governor Raman Rekha, seeking the continuation of the anti-Naxal drive.

On April 29, CM Sai had thanked security forces for their efforts in the operation. He said, ‘We keep holding review meetings of all departments. I have just taken information about the biggest Naxal operation going on at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. We want to thank the security forces for handling the situation there.’

According to police officials, the massive anti-Naxal operation was launched on April 21. By April 28, it had entered its eighth day and covered an extensive area of approximately 800 square kilometres, including the Karegutta Hills. More than 24,000 personnel from Chhattisgarh and central forces are involved in the mission, either directly or indirectly.

The operation aims to dismantle the presence of several Naxal factions that have long used the area as a stronghold. These include the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), Telangana State Committee (TSC), People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, CRC Company, and other Maoist units.

These groups have allegedly used the region to plan and execute violent attacks that endanger the lives of local residents. In a recent statement, Naxal groups claimed to have planted numerous Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the area, resulting in multiple civilian injuries and the death of an innocent woman near Usur.

Officials have stated that clearing the region of such threats and restoring safety for the local population remains a key responsibility of the security forces.

(ANI)