Gadchiroli encounters fiercer, more real than anywhere else, says Devendra Fadnavis

NAGPUR: Encounters in the Maoist-affected district are far fiercer, on difficult terrain, and more real than anywhere, though such operations in Mumbai or elsewhere in Maharashtra hog the limelight, said deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is also the state home minister, during a speech at Gadchiroli on Monday.
“It’s not that Mumbai encounters are unreal, but the difficult terrain in which the C-60 has to fight, with the least expectation of reinforcements, makes these encounters many times more real and fiercer,” he told TOI.

Fadnavis, also guardian minister of Gadchiroli, extolled the police efforts, especially C-60 commandos, during his two-day tour of the tribal district.
“Sometimes, operations continue for two-three days amid heavy exchange of fire from either sides, and in such fierce circumstances these efforts can only be extolled as true reflections of valour and courage,” said Fadnavis.
Fadnavis visited the Damrancha and Gyarapatti posts during his tour. He lauded the C-60 commandos for implementing the district police’s ‘dadalora khidki’ or one-window assistance system in remote places.
The deputy CM also handed over monetary benefits (₹8 lakh) to the family of Maoist victim Sainath Narote. He praised the C-60 commandos and their officers for neutralizing the assailants of the tribal student.
Fadnavis said the success of C-60 commandos could not come only through policing. “The C-60 commandos had developed communications with the tribals, acted as the ‘first responders’ to their needs, and managed to win their trust and faith, cutting them off from Maoist influence and winning them over to their side,” said Fadnavis.