47 per cent decline in Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh: Govt
New Delhi(PTI): Chhattisgarh has seen a reduction of 47 per cent in incidents of Naxal violence and a decline of 64 per cent in deaths of civilians and security personnel resulting from such violence during 2024 as compared to 2010, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the state recorded 267 cases of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence in 2024 as compared against 499 reported in 2010.
He said the deaths of civilians and security forces has also declined by 64 per cent as compared to 2010 when 343 such deaths were reported as against 122 reported in 2024.
Rai said the state has received over 43 per cent of the Rs 1925.83 crore released to all LWE-affected states under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme during the last five years.
The SRE scheme provides funds to LWE-affected states for capacity building through provisions of ex-gratia to the families of civilians and security forces killed in LWE violence, training and operational needs of security forces, rehabilitation of surrendered Naxal cadres, community policing and compensation to security personnel and civilians for the damage of properties in Naxal violence, he said.
"Under this scheme Rs 1925.83 crore have been released to all LWE-affected states during the last five years (from 2019-20 till date). This includes Rs 829.80 crore for Chhattisgarh," the minister said.
The state has also received 21.6 per cent of the total Rs 394.31 crore released to all LWE-affected states under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) during the last five years, he said.
The scheme aims to strengthen special forces, special intelligence branches (SIBs) and district police.
"This includes Rs 85.42 crore for Chhattisgarh. Seven hundred two fortified police stations (FPSs), including 147 for Chhattisgarh, have been sanctioned for LWE-affected states. Of these, 612 FPSs, including 125 in Chhattisgarh, have been constructed," he said.
He said that to give further impetus for development in most LWE-affected districts, funds are provided to the states under Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services.
"Under this scheme, Rs 2384.17 crore have been released to all LWE-affected states during last five years (from 2019-20 till date). This includes Rs 773.62 crore for Chhattisgarh," he said.
Rai said Rs 654.84 crore have been given to central agencies during the last five years (from 2019-20 till date) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE-affected areas, under assistance to central agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
