Dispatch News.
Raipur. At least three District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans were killed in an encounter between police and Naxalites in Bastar’s Sukma district on Saturday, apparently marking their presence in the state when the Chhattisgarh Congress is hosting a three-day plenary session from February 24 to 26. All the top-level national leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge, are camping in Raipur. The martyrs are Ramuram Nag, Kunjam Joga, and Vanjam Bhima.
The Maoists targeted the security forces and went out on the search by ambushing them. According to Sukma SP Sunil Sharma, 5 to 6 Naxalites were killed in the encounter. About 100 Naxalites were present nearby when the report came in.
According to the information, the DRG personnel were on a Naxal operation and providing security for the road construction work between Jagargunda and Kunded. The Maoists, who had already ambushed here, opened fire on the jawans. The soldiers also took the front line and retaliated strongly.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers who were killed in action.
The DRG jawans who went on the search have been sent back to the camp. The area where the encounter took place is a Maoist stronghold, with Naxalite commander Hidma active there.
About 200 km from Jagdalpur, Jagargunda village in Sukma district borders three districts: South Bastar’s Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma. It is also known as the sub-capital of the Naxalites. Maoist commander Jaganna first came to this village between 1980 and 1985. He ruled the villagers based on guns. When Jaganna went from here to another area, Naxalite Commander Paparao took over his responsibilities.
After some time, Naxalite commander Hidma, a resident of the nearby village, got the responsibility of maintaining dominance in this village. To maintain their supremacy, the Naxalites first broke the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Two troopers were killed in a Naxalite attack on the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border five days ago. The incident happened in the area of the Bortalab police station.
There was an encounter between police and Naxalites in the Kanker district 13 days ago in the forests of Aldand in the Chhote Bethia area. There was news of 4-5 Maoists getting shot in the encounter. SP Shalabh Sinha confirmed the encounter.
On January 28, there was an encounter between police and Naxalites in the Useli forests of the Amabeda area, just 20 kilometres away from Kanker district headquarters. After the encounter, which lasted for half an hour, the Naxalites escaped into the forest. A huge quantity of Naxalite material was recovered from the spot.
