Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma said on Sunday that IEDs are a huge barrier on the path of Bastar division’s development.
He said this while visiting Guddu Mekam at a hospital in Raipur, a youth from Bijapur district who was severely injured in an IED blast.
“These IEDs claim a large number of civilians and innocent animals as their victims as they don’t recognize anyone.
“The Naxalites need to take into account that no one benefits from such acts of bloody violence.”
Urging Naxalites to renounce violence, he said: "The government will support them if they embrace the path of development. “The surrender policy is progressing rapidly. Those who have surrendered are living peacefully. “The Niyad Nellanar Scheme has been started to expedite development in Naxalite hubs.” Guddu Mekam was held captive by the Naxalites after he was injured. He was released after his condition deteriorated. He was taken to Jagdalpur for treatment but referred to Raipur due to the severity of his injuries, an official communique said.