Naxalites on the run in Chhattisgarh, claims police

Raipur, Jan 2 (UNI) Chhattisgarh police today claimed that the Maoists were on the run because of 'Salwa Judum'-- the people's movement against naxals in Bastar-- and the pressure mounted against the rebels in the northern region of the state.

Addressing a press conference here, Director General of Police Om Prakash Rathor said 240 naxals were killed during 2006. While bodies of 71 ultras were recovered, 82 extremists and 242 'Sangam' members were arrested.

Referring to ongoing 'Salwa Judum' movement in Bastar, he said the peoples' movement against the naxals had gained momentum as the people were fed up with the problem of naxalite violence that has adversely affected the process of development in Bastar.

Pointing out that vested interests had unleashed a false propaganda against 'Salwa Judum', he said it was being carried out from major cities, including from New Delhi and Mumbai, as the local media knew the reality at the ground level.

When his attention was drawn towards senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Mahendra Karma's statement that South Bastar would be free from naxals by June this year because of the 'Salwa Judum' movement, Mr Rathor said he did not agree with the perception, as the problem could not be solved in a short period.

Pointing out that the police had mounted pressure on the Maoists in Sarguja region, bordering Jharkhand, Mr Rathor said no major naxalite-related incidents were reported from many districts facing the rebel problem.

''But, we want to continue this pressure on the Maoists,'' he added.

The DGP said the state had established a Jungle warfare college in Kanker district to impart guerilla warfare training.

Personnel trained from this centre have been deployed in anti-naxalite operations in the forests, he said, adding that police personnel from neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Orissa had also been imparted training.

Mr Rathor said the success in anti-naxalite operations in Northern Sarguja region was due to various factors, including proper coordination with the police of neighbouring state.

UNI