Of all the Naxalite-infested states in the country, Chhattisgarh had gunned down maximum rebels in encounters.
A home ministry report revealed that among the worst Naxal-infested states, maximum rebels were killed in Chhattisgarh, Director General of Police (DGP) Vishwa Ranjan said. Minimum Naxal incidents had taken place in the state in the last one year as well, he added.
Ranjan said 217 encounters took place between the security personnel and Naxalites in various parts of the state in 2009.
During the encounters, 107 Naxalites were gunned down, the state police chief said.
The figure could be much more as the police officially take down the number on the basis of bodies found. Since the rebels carry away the bodies, police suspect that the number will be more.
"Even the Naxal literatures underline heavy casualties in Chhattisgarh," Ranjan added.
Referring to the operation against the rebels, Ranjan said the drive of Chhattisgarh police was on while the joint operation with the central forces would be launched soon. "We are getting support from the villagers to the Centre in our operation against the Naxalites," he added.
The central government had provided adequate forces for the operation against the ultras while the assistance would continue in future as well, Ranjan said, adding that after the inhuman acts of the Naxalites, villagers in the interior areas of red zone are helping the security personnel.
The police chief said the urban network of the Naxalites was under scanner and police were keeping a close vigil as without an urban base, the Naxals cannot operate an underground movement in the forests.
