Security agencies killed 20 Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday (14 May), reported the Financial Express. Coming weeks after the death of 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men at the hands of Naxalites in Sukma area, this counter-attack assumes great significance. Two police personnel also lost their lives in the encounter.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh had clearly indicated the need for more aggression in the state’s fight against Naxalites. “We have to bring aggression in our policy, there should be aggression in our thinking, aggression in our strategy, aggression in the deployment of security forces, aggression in operations, aggression in bringing development, aggression in road construction,” he had said. The recent operation can be seen in this light.
In 2016, the number of security personnel and civilians killed in Naxal violence had seen an increase compared to the previous year, as per official data. However, the number of Maoists surrendered had also doubled during this period. Now the battle between the security forces and Naxalities looks all set to intensify in the near future.
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