Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday visited Gundam village, about 65 km from the worst Maoist-affected district Bijapur headquarters in Chhattisgarh, where a police camp was set up on February 14 this year.
On January 30 this year, three CRPF jawans along with two Cobra commandos were killed while pushing back Battalion No. 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the most powerful armed unit of the Maoists, about 15 km from Gundam in Tekulagudem. Sukma District. The military also located and defused more than a dozen IEDs on the axis before setting up camp near the Gundam.
Only 268 people live in Gundam village in Ussur Block, which is not accessible by road.
Shah, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Bishnu Dev Sai and state Home Minister Vijay Sharma during his visit, interacted with the women and asked them to form a group that would ensure their children attend school and complete their education.
Shah also met family members of jawans killed fighting Maoists and families of police intelligence or killed in bomb blasts. The Union Home Minister said that a statue of soldiers who sacrificed their lives will be established.
Assuring the unwavering support of the central and state governments, Shah said, “The pain of losing our loved ones cannot be lessened, but we are firmly with you. We are committed to ensuring that no one else has to suffer the loss you have faced. To honor the memory of our brave jawans, The Chhattisgarh government will install idols in their villages, preserving their legacy for future generations.
He also spoke to the villagers about the health facilities available in the nearby camp, government schemes like free 35 kg rice and asked the youth to form a group to make the villagers aware of the government’s initiatives. Under the Niad Nellanar (Your Better Village) initiative, 53 central and state government schemes will be implemented in villages.
Shah asked Bijapur District Collector, Sambit Mishra, to organize public service camps to get necessary documents like Aadhaar, Ration Card, Bank Passbook and Ayushman Card.
Although more work is going on, the village has grid electricity, solar pumps for drinking water, television sets, fans and bulbs. The Border Road Organization (BRO) has started construction of 18 km road from Tararem to Kondapalli in Ussur block of Gundam.
Shah said district collectors should participate in the weekly grievance day for martyrs, ensuring a more comprehensive support system.
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