Maoists will be defeated: Raman Singh

RAIPUR - The Chhattisgarh government is working on multiple efforts to contain Maoist violence and restore peace, Chief Minister Raman Singh said in his Independence Day speech Sunday.

“Chhattisgarh, along with a few other states, is passing through a major disaster caused by Maoist terrorism and the state government is working on multiple efforts to contain violence and restore peace,” Raman Singh told a gathering at the Police Parade Ground here after unfurling the tricolour.

“The unity of the people of the state against anti-national, anti-constitutional and anti-development Maoists is the biggest certificate of internal strength,” he said.

“I once again salute the brave brothers and sisters of people of Maoist-infested districts whose faith and courage have inspired government to launch a multiple-effort to finish off Maoists,” Singh, who has been heading the state government since December 2003, said in his 15-minute speech amid applause by thousands of people.

He announced that his government had decided to absorb one person from the family of each police personnel killed in Maoist violence even if one of his/her family members already has a government job.

Raman Singh also announced that the ex-gratia amount for police personnel kiled in Maoist violence would be increased to Rs.15 lakh from Rs.500,000.

The 90-minute main Independence Day function of the state also saw an impressive cultural programme by school students. A show by sniffer dogs who displayed their ability to detect landmines buried in the ground, was the star attraction of the function.