Gadchiroli district and four talukas in Gondia remain 'Naxal-infested': Govt

The entire Gadchiroli district and four talukas in Gondia remain Naxalinfested according to the Maharashtra government reported news agency PTIThe Naxal tag has raised eyebrows as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared part of Gadchiroli free of Maoist activities over five months ago and asserted south Gadchiroli would soon be rid of the Maoist menaceA government resolution GR on Friday stated Gondia Salekasa Devri and Arjuni Morgaon talukas in Gondia district and the entire Gadchiroli district are Naxalinfested reported PTIIt said the declaration is based on the Central governments list of Naxalaffected areasGadchiroli is often referred to as the last district of Maharashtra as it is on the states eastern borderAfter felicitating C 60 commandos in January Fadnavis said Maharashtra will soon become free of Naxal menace given the rise in the number of Maoists laying down their arms and the movement failing to attract recruits reported PTIGadchiroli Police almost eradicated Naxal activities in the district North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoist activities and south Gadchiroli will soon become free from Naxals he had told reporters claiming that the dominance of Naxalites in remote areas of Gadchiroli district was waning reported PTIThe government has started the process to make Gadchrioli the first district by eliminating the dominance of Maoists he saidFrom Naxalhit to investment hub Gadkari highlights Gadchirolirsquos revivalOnce known as a stronghold of Naxalite activity Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra is now witnessing a wave of positive transformation driven by education infrastructure and employment Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said in April this yearThe Minister made these remarks while addressing the lsquoKarmayogirsquo programme organised by the Kai Laxmanrao Mankar Smruti Sanstha in Mumbai Reflecting on the districtrsquos past Gadkari recalled visiting Gadchiroli nearly three decades ago during a tense electoral campaign period ldquoTwentynine years ago Gadchiroli was infamous for Naxal violence The police had to surround me during my visitrdquo he said ldquoBut today there are 1200 teachers and 30000 students in the districtrdquoThe Minister expressed optimism about further expanding the regionrsquos educational reach ldquoWe aim to increase the number of students from 30000 to one lakhrdquo he added stressing that education and employment are pivotal to sustainable peace in areas previously affected by extremismGadkari further noted that local engagement had played a crucial role in pacifying tensions ANI reports that approximately 3000 former Naxalites have renounced violence and taken up gainful employment after being offered work opportunities ldquoWhen people have work they change their pathrdquo he saidThe Minister also revealed that investments worth Rs 65 lakh crore are anticipated in the region crediting Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for facilitating these developments through engagements in Davos According to ANI Gadkari emphasised that a majority of the employment opportunities would be directed towards local youth saying ldquoEighty per cent of local children have been assured jobsrdquoWith inputs from PTI and ANI