Chhattisgarh CM vows to crush Maoists

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Wednesday sought people`s support to crush Maoist guerrillas.

Speaking on Independence Day at the Police parade ground here, Singh branded the Maoists "anti-national" and said that their claim of fighting for the poor was falsehood.

He sought the support of the people in forested areas to isolate the Maoist insurgents.

The chief minister said tribal youths were given employment in police and other government departments to prevent them from joining the Maoists. Besides, a number of development schemes have been lined up to ameliorate the plight of people living under the shadow of insurgency, he added.

The Maoists, he said, were "anti-national, anti-constitution, anti-development and anti-humanity".

He accused the Maosits of illegalities such as extortion as well as smuggling of drugs, arms and timber.

They also committed mindless violence against innocent villagers and security forces, he added. Saluting those who died fighting the Maoists, Singh expressed the hope that Chhattisgarh will soon overcome the Maoist problem.

IANS