Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), April 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made an appeal to Maoists from Chhattisgarh to shun violence as the government is duty-bound to protect their rights.

"On the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary, I would like to ask the youth on the path of violence that the Constitution takes care of your rights. It is government's duty to protect your rights. You need not pick arms and destroy your lives," Modi said while addressing the gathering after launching "Ayushman Bharat" scheme here. 

Modi also said that the people behind the violent activities were from outside the state and it was they who were responsible for the death of local youths. 

"None of their chiefs is from your area. They have come from outside to your state. If you read their names, surnames, you will understand who they are. They do not die. They hide safely in the jungles. They send your children in front to face the bullet. Would you leave your children behind such people?"

"The government is duty-bound to ensure school education to children and remuneration to agriculture produce," he said. 

Stating that the security personnel risk their lives for smooth functioning of schools, construction of roads, etc., Modi appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to follow the path of development. 

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Dubai, Dec 25: Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah got a huge boost on the eve of the Boxing Day Test when he achieved the joint-highest rating ever by an Indian player, equalling the record held by spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the ICC Ranking for Bowlers.

 

The quick gained 14 rating points following his 9/94 in the drawn third Test at Brisbane to not only equal Ashwin's highest-ever 904 rating points but also consolidate his position at the top of the rankings.

Bumrah has a chance to better Ashwin's rating points, which the now-retired off-spinner achieved in December 2016, when the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Test begins at the MCG on Thursday.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada (856) and Australia's Josh Hazlewood (852) are trailing the Indian pacer at the second and third place respectively.

Charismatic Australian batter Travis Head's stellar run in the ongoing series against India helped him climb to fourth spot (825 rating points) in the Test Ranking for Batters. He is still behind the England duo of Joe Root (895) and Harry Brook (876), and former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (867).

Head smashed a scintillating 152 at the Gabba to follow up his century in the second Test at Adelaide.

Compatriot Steve Smith's century at the Gabba got him into the top-10 once again.

Among all-rounders, India's Ravindra Jadeja continues to lead the lead the chart with 424 rating points, while Australia skipper Pat Cummins earned his place back in the top-10, following his four wickets and 42 runs in the third Test at Gabba.