Chhattisgarh's Biggest Naxal Encounter Sparks Credit War As BJP, Congress Vie For Recognition

Chhattisgarh's encounter was the highest fatalities suffered by Naxalites in a single encounter in the history of state's fight against Left Wing Extremism raising the toll to 79 in Bastar region.

In the biggest-ever encounter in Chhattisgarh, security forces killed down 29 Naxalites in Kanker district on Thursday ahead of the Lok Sabha polling in the state. Three security personnel also suffered injuries in the operation, during which a large quantity of weapons were recovered from the spot, officials said. 

Polling in the Naxalite-hit Bastar Lok Sabha seat will take place on April 19 in the first phase, while the Kanker constituency, part of the Bastar region, will vote in the second round of general elections on April 26.  

As per reports, it was the highest fatalities suffered by Naxalites in a single encounter in the history of Chhattisgarh's fight against Left Wing Extremism raising the toll to 79 in the Bastar region, a Maoist stronghold.

Soon after the encounter, political parties started taking credit for the encounter while some raising concerns that people are feeling unsafe in the tribal areas. 

What Ruling Party Said?

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called it a big achievement and congratulated the security forces involved in the encounter. 
 
"It is indeed a very big achievement... A joint party of DRG and BSF carried out this operation and encountered Naxalites, 29 of whom have been reported dead. Three jawans have been injured during the encounter and they are being treated... I congratulate all jawans and security personnel involved in this historical encounter," Vishnu Deo Sai said.

The CM further said that the Naxalites wanted to disrupt the election process in the Bastar region and added that the government wants these Naxalites to come into the mainstream.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the operation and said the BJP government has launched a continuous campaign against Naxalism and terrorism.

"Ever since Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the BJP government has launched a continuous campaign against Naxalism and terrorism. After the formation of the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, that campaign gained further momentum. We started setting up camps since 2014. After 2019, at least 250 camps have been set up," Shah said.

"After the formation of the government, in a period of about 3 months, more than 80 Naxalites have been killed in Chhattisgarh, more than 125 have been arrested and more than 150 Naxalites have surrendered," the Union Minister added. 

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, hailed the encounter as a surgical strike and a major success and asserted credit for it goes to brave security personnel.

Terming the encounter as a surgical strike by the Bastar police on Naxalism, Sharma said, "It was for the first time on the anti-Naxal front that in a face-to-face fight, security forces were completely dominant over Naxalites and did not give them a chance to recover. We want talks (with Naxalites)....whether they do it in a group or through representatives."

"We are committed to peace, and we want the development to reach the people living in the interiors of Bastar," he added.

Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Arun Sao called the encounter historic and said their government is committed to make Bastar naxal-free.

“The successful operation that the armed forces conducted yesterday is historic. I congratulate the security personnel involved in this operation. We are committed to making Bastar naxal-free," Sao said.

What Congress Said?

Congress leader and former CM Bhupesh Baghel said his government took effective actions against the Naxalites in the last five years and added that there have been many fake encounters during the BJP rule.

"There have been many fake encounters during the BJP rule which did not happen during our rule. There have been many fake arrests," He also added the the Adivasis are being threatened that they would be arrested.

In a later statement, Baghel gave the credit to the security forces and added that it was the result of the policies of the last Congress government. 

"I congratulate the security forces who fought bravely and achieved success in this operation. This is a result of the policies we brought during our government," Baghel said.

Reacting to Baghel's statement, Chhattisgarh Congress President Deepak Baij said the former CM is aware of the state's situatuon and demanded a probe in the matter.

"If former CM Bhupesh Baghel is raising a question mark, then there is a doubt regarding the incident, he (Bhupesh Baghel) is well aware of the state's situation...the government should probe the matter. The government has not received the input entirely, let it come, if anyone raises any questions, then the government needs to make this apparent that 29/29 are Naxalis, not Adivasis."

He also said that cases are being registered against them in the name of fake Naxalites and the tribals of Bastar are worried and scared. He Baij added that in tribal areas, women are feeling unsafe going to the forest and added that fake encounters have increased.