Chhattisgarh accounts for 70% of Naxal related killings in the first quarter of 2007

Chhattisgarh accounts for 70% of Naxal related killings in the first quarter of 2007

New Delhi: According to the latest issue of “Naxal Conflict Monitor” of the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) released today, 144 persons including 27 civilians, 80 security forces and 37 alleged Naxalites were killed between January and March 2007 in 10 Naxal affected States. Out of these, 101 persons or 70% of the total victims were killed in Chhattisgarh, followed by killing of 25 persons in Andhra Pradesh.

“For the first time, the number of security forces killed in the Naxalite conflict surpassed the number of civilians or alleged Naxalites. This indicates the increasing striking capability of the Naxalites, intensification of the Naxalite conflict and therefore its disastrous consequences on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms” – stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights

Asian Centre for Human Rights stated that since over 50% of the Naxal-related killings and incidents of the entire country have been consistently reported from Chhattisgarh alone in the last two years, there is a need to evaluate the anti-Naxal programmes of Chhattisgarh and take corrective measures.

Instead of learning from the failures of the Chhattisgarh government, State government of Maharashtra launched a programme in January 2007 to support formation of the Village Defence Committees (VDCS) to counter the Naxalites. Each village are being offered Rs 2 lakh for formation of VDCs and the proposals of 28 village have already been approved.

“It is unfortunate that the State governments have been using common citizenry to counter the Naxalites and this will only lead to more killings.” – Stated Mr Chakma.

ACHR