Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 24 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday reaffirmed the state's strong stance on eradicating Maoism, describing it as a 'cancer' to society.

Speaking to ANI about the recent encounter in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband, where the bodies of 16 Naxals were recovered following an operation by security forces, the Chief Minister highlighted the achievements of the forces and their success in combating the Maoist threat. He emphasised the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism in the state.

'Near the Kulhadi Ghat under the Mainpur police station of the Gariaband district, our security forces had an encounter with Maoists. So far, more than a dozen Maoists have been killed. There have been two major encounters with Naxalites within a week,' Sai said.

'Our soldiers have achieved huge success, and our government is working to end Naxalism. Maoism is like a cancer, and we will succeed in destroying it completely. We will fulfil the resolution of the PM and the HM,' he added.

He also praised the courage of security personnel involved in the operation, stating that Naxalism is 'taking its last breath' and will end by March 31, 2026.

'I salute the courage of our security force personnel and praise them... Naxalism is taking its last breath, and we will end it by 31 March 2026,' he said.

Earlier, Inspector General of Raipur Zone, Amresh Mishra, stated that 16 Naxal bodies were recovered during an encounter with security forces in Gariaband district near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

According to a statement by IG Mishra, the security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles, and other automatic weapons.

Meanwhile, Gariaband Superintendent of Police, Nikhil Rakhecha, said the bodies were recovered during a joint anti-Naxal operation conducted by the Gariaband Operation Group E30, Cobra 207, CRPF 65 and 211 Battalions, and SOG Nuapada.

According to the SP, the security forces were able to kill a member of the Naxalite Central Committee, Jairam alias Chalpati, who had a reward of INR 1 crore on his head. The operation, which began on Sunday, also neutralised senior Maoist cadres and resulted in the recovery of a large quantity of weapons, including automatic rifles.

Following the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the efforts of the security forces, describing it as a 'mighty blow' to Naxalism.

'Another mighty blow to Naxalism. Our security forces achieved major success towards building a Naxal-free Bharat. The CRPF, SOG Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Police neutralised 14 Naxalites in a joint operation along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. With our resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of our security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today,' the Union Home Minister stated. (ANI)