The jawans of C 60 Commando Force, a special Anti-Naxal squad of Gadchiroli Police who participated in firing with the Naxalites on November 13 were honoured by Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil in a programme held at the police headquarters here on Monday. Patil had specially come here to congratulate the jawans for their brave act in eliminating 26 Naxals including their top leader in the firing that took place in the hills of Tekkametta and Mardantola villages in the northeast Gadchiroli bordering Chhattisgarh. Bhushankumar Upadhyay, Additional DGP, Chhering Dorje, IG, Anti-Naxal Cell, Sandeep Patil, DIG, Gadchiroli Range, Ankit Goel, SP, Sameer Sheikh, Somay Mundhe, Anuj Tare, Additional SPs were prominently present. Speaking on the occasion, Patil said Gadchiroli police have done commendable work of containing the Naxals and keeping peace in the district. Cops have overpowered the Naxals in the encounters that happened in the past as well.

 

If anybody tries to disturb the peace, they will be dealt with severely, warned the Minister. He appreciated the work of police stating that they have been working despite odd geographical conditions. He further said local youths will be given priority in police recruitment that will help in reducing the Naxal menace, he added. The performance of Gadchiroli police to eliminate the most wanted Naxal leader is unprecedented. With the death of Milind Teltumbde, there will be peace in adjoining Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana states, he said. The Maha Vikas Aghadi Government is committed to the development of the district.

 

Funds of Rs 150 crore have been sanctioned by the Central Government for the major bridges that will increase the connectivity, he added. Earlier, Patil met the family members of the police jawans and listened to their grievances. All necessary efforts will be made to solve the problems of police, he assured. Minister also laid a wreath on martyrs’ memorial at the police headquarters and paid respect to the jawans.