Maoist menace a challenge but now losing ground: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said Naxalism was a challenge but the menace was now shrinking and losing ground in the country.

He was speaking here at the Passing Out Parade of the CRPF's 'Bastariya' Battalion -- comprising recruits from Naxal-hit districts in the state -- which was commissioned into service today.

The battalion is named 'Bastariya' as its members are from the Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, bordering Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana.

Appreciating efforts of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Chhattisgarh Police in curbing Naxal activities, he said casualties among the police force due to attacks by rebels have also gone down.

Singh said the life of a jawan cannot be compensated with money, but as a token of gratitude, the government has decided that not less than Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of a martyred personnel.

"Naxalism and extremism are a challenge, but I want to say that this menace is now shrinking and losing ground," Singh said.

Singh said the decision to set up the specialised battalion was taken in view of the courage and valour shown by the tribal people to take on any tough challenge.

He said casualties among the security forces have gone down by almost 53 to 55 percent and the geographical expanse of Naxalism has also decreased by 40 to 45 percent.

"The credit for this goes to our CRPF jawans and officials and personnel of the state police," Singh said.

Praising the new battalion, he said recruits have shown that "talent, ability and calibre are not just confined to big cities and urban areas but also exist in the people of Bastar."

The Home minister said establishing the Bastariya Battalion was a well thought out decision of the Centre as the government knows that people from the Schedule Tribes have an "immense sense of patriotism and national pride".

The unique battalion - recruited from Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts of undivided Bastar - has been raised with a specific purpose to strengthen security forces' operations in areas where they have witnessed maximum reverses for a few years owing to a lack of concrete intelligence and familiarisation with locals, and the topography, a CRPF official earlier said

Another special feature of the battalion was the number of women recruits which, at 33 percent, was according to the policy of the government, the official had said.

Appreciating the state government for carrying out development works in the remote areas, he said Naxals do not want the backward areas to develop as they fear that the growth will uproot them from the region.

"Chief Minister Raman Singh has been trying to ensure an overall development of the state. He is focused on developing the remotest areas of the state to ensure inclusive development," the Union minister said.

On the contrary, Naxal leaders and their families have amassed wealth and are leading a luxurious lifestyle. "Even their children are studying in big colleges and foreign universities. But they mislead the children of poor," he noted.

"We have decided that all those Naxal leaders who have earned money by using poor people and manipulating their innocence, will be punished," Rajnath Singh said.

He said the CRPF -- through its dedication, talent, courage and commitment -- has earned great respect of people. Even in Kashmir, along with the Army, they are fighting the terrorists with great courage and conviction.

A grievance redressal cell was set up and all efforts were being made to resolve the complaints pertaining to the families of jawans, he said.

"We will stand by you (CRPF jawans) in all odds," the minister assured.

He said though the lives of jawans cannot be compensated with money, but the government has a certain responsibility towards the families of those who sacrifice their lives in the service of the nation.

"Keeping this in mind, we decided that not less than Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of a martyred jawan as a token of gratitude," he added.

He said the development of Chhattisgarh and to take the state to new heights was the government's top priority.

"We have been ensuring road connectivity, electricity to every village in the state," he said, adding that some villages were still deprived of power supply because of the hurdles created by Naxals.

But the Home minister assured that no hurdle can stop the state's development.

Chief Minister Raman Singh, CRPF Director General R R Bhatnagar, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police A N Upadhyay were among those present at the event.