High alert in flood-hit naxalite areas of Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Aug 4 (UNI) Security forces have been put on maximum alert in the flood-hit areas of Dantewara district, the most naxal-infested region of Chhattisgarh, state home minister Ram Vichar Netam said today.

He told UNI here precaution was being taken in view of the possibility of Maoists stepping up violence when the region was already facing a natural calamity and the administration was busy in rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas.

Expressing apprehension that the Maoists could target security forces and relief camps -- where more than 55,000 people had taken shelter by deserting their villages in view of naxalite threat during the last one year, Mr Netam said adequate police and paramilitary forces had already been deployed in the region.

Pointing out that road links to Dantewara district had been cut off due to floods, the minister said security forces had been geared up to face any challenge from the naxalites.

Throwing light on rescue and relief operations in flood-affected areas, he said more than 3,000 people had already been evacuated to safer places as their villagers were marooned because of floods in Godavari, Shabari and Indravati rivers.

Relief operations were also disrupted because of heavy rains and delay in the arrival of Army helicopter, which has been requisitioned by the state government for relief operations.

He said relief operations would be stepped up from early tomorrow morning.

An official spokesman said two army helicopters had already reached the state capital and they would be pressed into service from tomorrow morning.

Arrangements had been made to supply food and medicines to the flood-hit people of the South Bastar.

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