'76 Naxalites killed in Chhattisgarh last year'

Seventy-six Naxalites were killed in Chhattisgarh during 2017, said DM Awasthi, Special Director General of Police (DGP), Naxal Operations, on Tuesday.

Addressing the annual press conference here, Awasthi said, "In 2017, 76 bodies of Naxalites were recovered, out of which 51 had bounty on their head."

The DG also briefed about the arrests of Maoists and seizure of arms and ammunition from them.

"1,017 Naxalites were arrested last year which included 79 Maoists who carried over Rs 1 crore bounty on their head. Apart from it, 1,458 Maoists surrendered and 221 weapons were recovered from them. 1,280 kg Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were also recovered from 263 places. 100 grenades were also recovered," Awasthi said.

The police officer also informed that 76 police stations were also established in naxal-affected areas.

"The construction of 75 Fortified Police stations in LWE affected areas by the Chhattisgarh Police Housing Corporation has been completed. Construction of STF hub Kanker has completed and that of Sukma, Bijapur, Jagdalpur is in final stage. Construction of 14 helipads for night landing of helicopter (out of 16) in Bastar range has been completed," Awasthi said.

He also said that target for 2018 will be to launch offensive intelligence based operations in Naxalite core areas.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Principal Secretary, Home, informed balance between security and development led to the success against tackling naxal menace.

He said that seven district of Bastar were badly affected by Naxalism.

"Southern Bastar is the safe zone of naxalites where top Maoist leaders are present," Subrahmanyam said.

He informed that 48,000 jawans of the central security forces, 25,000 of Chhattisgarh police were stationed in Bastar.

"Five new battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will also be deployed in Bastar," the home secretary said.

He also said the security forces were providing dedicated security cover for construction of roads and other development activities in LWE (Left Wing Extremism)-affected areas.