RAIPUR: Hundreds of surrendered Maoists from Chhattisgarh and other left-wing-extremism-affected states, will attend the closing ceremony of Bastar Olympics Sunday, which is going to be presided over by home minister Amit Shah. Sources say Shah could stay for a night at a camp.
Replying to a question from mediapersons if Shah would stay in a camp near Puwarti – Hidma’s native village, deputy CM Vijay Sharma said: “He might visit a camp further than that.”
It’s a strong statement from the govt of a return to normalcy in Bastar after over two decades of bloodshed.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, also state home minister, said surrendered Maoists from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Assam and Chhattisgarh have now attained a ‘stature in society’ and they will all be attending the Bastar Olympics.
“They will be here to send a message that they can contribute to society by joining the mainstream. Amit Shah ji will be attending the Bastar Para-Olympics, too, where victims of IED blasts will participate,” said Sharma.
Shah will arrive in Chhattisgarh Sunday and will attend ‘President’s Police Colour Awards’ event in Raipur and then head for Jagdalpur in the afternoon to attend the Para-Olympics. He is scheduled to meet surrendered Naxalites in the evening at Jagdalpur circuit house.
Sharma said that Shah will have dinner with commanders involved in major anti-Naxal operations. On Monday morning, he will pay tribute to security personnel who made the supreme sacrifice, and meet their families. Shah will then return to Raipur and chair a meeting with the officials.
Shah may stay at a security camp in Bastar during his trip, Sharma, who visited Jagdalpur to oversee arrangements Saturday, said. He criticised the spate of recent murders of civilians by Maoists. “Naxals have killed many on the claim they are ‘informers’. These killings are a ‘bloody game’. What kind of bravery is it to kill innocent people?”
