Govt has lost control over Maoist ops: Ex-CM

Raipur: Did ‘Operation Sankalp' occur on the night of May 8 and why did the state govt delay announcing such a major success, were questions that former CM Bhupesh Baghel posed on Tuesday over announcements made in the anti-naxal operations and the Maoists killed in these operations.

The all India Congress committee (AICC) general secretary said that the Chhattisgarh govt has lost control over Maoist operations, demanding resignations of CM Sai and home minister Vijay Sharma.

Speaking to journalists at his Raipur residence on Tuesday, Baghel said, "The facts emerging from the Bijapur Naxal operation indicate a complete lack of control by the state govt. Different claims were made by the CM & the deputy CM, so whose claim is right?" He asked.

Baghel highlighted the discrepancies in the govt's statements. "On May 8, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai claimed that 22 Naxalites were killed in ‘Operation Sankalp'. Home Minister Vijay Sharma later denied any such operation and disputed the casualty figures. But 22 bodies reached the Bijapur district hospital for post-mortem," he said. He reiterated the Congress party's unconditional support in the fight against Naxalites. "However, the govt cannot evade its responsibility. The Bijapur incident raises several questions and creates suspicion," he added.

Baghel further alleged that the local and regional media were barred from accessing the hospital. "After questions arose and the bodies began to decompose in the mortuary, the police issued a release on May 12," he said.

The press releases claimed 31 Maoists were killed in ‘Operation Sankalp' and 20 bodies have been identified. Eleven identified bodies were handed over to families after post-mortem and legal formalities. Identification of the remaining 11 bodies was underway. Baghel pointed out contradictions in the police statement. "If 20 bodies have been identified, why were only 11 handed over? How can the identification process be ongoing for 11 bodies if 20 have already been identified?" he questioned.

Baghel raised several questions, including whether Operation Sankalp is still ongoing. If so, he demanded details. He questioned how the police could conduct such an operation without the knowledge of the home minister. He asked how many bodies were actually recovered and why, if 31 Naxalites were killed, only 22 bodies reached Bijapur. He also questioned the whereabouts of the remaining bodies, why the govt delayed announcing such a major success, the names of the identified Naxalites, who received the bodies, their relationship with the deceased, and how many bodies remain unidentified.

In a police statement yesterday, amid continued secrecy over the Karegutta Hills operation, it was stated that 31 Maoists have been killed in the ‘recent' encounters in Bijapur. Monday's police statement didn't specify exactly when and where these ‘recent encounters' happened.

When asked for details, officials said that everything about the identification of the deceased Maoists and the encounter or operation will be divulged during a press briefing on Wednesday.