Chhattisgarh DGP chairs high-level meet in Bastar in anti-Maoist push

RAIPUR: With the March 31 deadline for eliminating Left-wing extremism drawing closer, Chhattisgarh police have stepped up strategic pressure in Bastar, holding a high-level Bastar divisional review meeting in Dantewada to rework operations around ground realities.

The four-hour meeting, chaired by DGP Arun Dev Gautam, reviewed the current status of anti-Maoist operations, intelligence inputs, identification of vulnerable pockets and a targeted action plan for the coming days, officials said. The thrust, they added, is shifting towards more field-driven action, faster coordination and concentrated operations in remaining areas of influence.Senior officers present at the meeting carried out an area-wise assessment of the security situation and drafted a special operational blueprint, focusing on real-time coordination between central forces and district police.

Sources said instructions were issued to strengthen on-ground communication and ensure quicker response and support during operations.The DGP told reporters, the decision to hold the review in Bastar was aimed at understanding the “ground reality” firsthand and shaping strategy accordingly. Police leadership believes Maoists are under sustained pressure in the region and that the window is narrowing for a decisive push.

He said a comprehensive assessment was carried out of the work being undertaken by security forces in Naxal-affected areas and a fresh strategy has been prepared for the coming days.Issuing a clear message to Maoists, the DGP said the path of surrender remains open for them. He added that time is running out and surrender is the only viable option left. Those who lay down arms in time will be given an opportunity for a secure and better life under the government’s rehabilitation policy.Based on intelligence agency assessments, officials underlined the need for active participation of local police in every operation to better leverage local knowledge and minimise casualties among security forces.Police appealed to local residents to cooperate with development works and not fall for Maoist propaganda, indicating that anti-Maoist operations in the Bastar division are likely to become sharper, faster and more focused in the run-up to the end-March deadline.ADG (Naxal Operations) Vivekanand Sinha, Bastar IG P Sundarraj, superintendents of police of all districts in Bastar division, and senior officers of the CRPF and other paramilitary forces were present at the meeting.