In Chhattisgarh, an encounter between security forces and Maoists has been continuing since yesterday in Bijapur district. Two more bodies were recovered from the encounter site today. With this, the total number of Maoists killed in the encounter has risen to six, including four women Maoists. Security forces have recovered a total of six rifles from the spot, including two AK-47s, one INSAS rifle, two .303 rifles, and one carbine.

 

Bijapur SP Dr. Jitendra Yadav said that a joint team of the District Reserve Guard, CoBRA Battalion, and Special Task Force launched a search operation yesterday morning following intelligence inputs about Maoist presence in the north-western forested and hilly areas of the district. He said that, during the operation, intermittent exchange of fire continued between the security forces and the Maoists. The bodies of all the Maoists killed in the encounter have been recovered. Four of them have been identified so far, including Dilip Bedja, a Divisional Committee Member of the National Park Area Committee.

 

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has appealed to Maoists to abandon violence and join the mainstream of development. He said in a social media post that the government is fully committed to rehabilitation with justice, security, and dignity.

 

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma has said that, after this operation, the National Park area has now become almost Maoist-free, which is a major success for the state.