Maharashtra CM Fadnavis: Urban Naxals Misleading People About Gadchiroli's Development Using Foreign Funds

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a public address at Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd in Konsari, alleged that “urban Naxals” from outside the state were using foreign funds to derail development in Gadchiroli. He inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several projects in the district.

Shrinking Naxal Presence, Rising Urban Influence

Fadnavis claimed that Naxalism in Gadchiroli is rapidly declining. Very few Naxalites, who can be counted on fingers, are left in the forests here, he said, urging them to shun violence and join the mainstream.

However, he warned of a growing threat: “We need to be alert about 'urban Naxals', who are spreading false information.”

False Social Media Campaigns Sparked by Development

The CM mentioned a sudden surge of misinformation after the steel plant's foundation was laid. The very next day, a campaign and posts on social media began claiming tribals were being killed and a steel plant was being built on their land, he said. These posts also accused the government of widespread deforestation.

Investigations Trace Funding to Outside States

Fadnavis directed the police and Gadchiroli IG Sandeep Patil to investigate. “You will be surprised to know that these people were not from Maharashtra. Two persons were sitting in Kolkata, while two were sitting in Bengaluru and they had been working on foreign funding,” he said.

“They were using these funds to instigate people against the Constitution,” he added.

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