"Maoism is like cancer, will destroy it completely ": Chhattisgarh CM on Gariaband encounter

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 21 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday reaffirmed the state's strong stance in eradicating Maoism, describing it as cancer to society.
Speaking to ANI on the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband where bodies of 16 naxals were recovered following an encounter with the security forces, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister highlighted the achievements of the security forces and their success in dealing with the Maoist threat, emphasising the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism in the state.
"Near the Kulhadi Ghat under the Mainpur police station of the Gariaband district, our security forces had an encounter with Maoists. So far, more than a dozen Maoists have been killed. There have been two major encounters with Naxalites within a week," he said.
"Our soldiers have achieved huge success and our government is working to end the Naxalism. Maoism is like a cancer and we will succeed in destroying it completely. We will fulfil the resolution of the PM and the HM," Sai added.
He also praised the courage of security personnel involved in the operation, stating that Naxalism is taking its last breath and by March 31, 2026, it will end completely.
"I salute the courage of our security force personnel and praise them... Naxalism is taking its last breath and we will end it by 31 March 2026," he added.
Earlier, the Inspector General of Raipur Zone, Amresh Mishra, stated that 16 Naxal bodies were recovered during an encounter with the security forces in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
According to a statement by IG Mishra, the security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS and other automatic weapons.
Meanwhile, the Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, in a statement, stated that the bodies were recovered during a joint anti-Naxal operation by the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada.
According to the SP, the security forces were also able to kill a member of the Naxalite Central Committee, Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of one crore on his head.
The operation, which was started on Sunday, also saw senior cadres of Maoists dead and a large quantity of weapons, including automatic weapons like SLR rifles, recovered.
Following this development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of the security forces, stating that it was a "mighty blow" to Naxalism.
"Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SoG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today," the Union Home Minister stated. (ANI)