State government ignoring Maoist menace, says BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the state government of “ignoring” Maoist threats at Gadchiroli.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday accused the state government of “ignoring” Maoist threats at Gadchiroli.

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Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse claimed that poor communication systems plagued the Bhamragad sub-district, among the worst-hit by the Maoist menace.

“The situation is very serious. Perhaps, (state) home minister RR Patil is unaware of all this,” Khadse said, taking a dig at Patil, who happens to be the guardian minister of Gadchiroli.

Khadse said that Maoists had dug up several major roads in the district and cut off BSNL telecom lines in the past few weeks.

“There is a breakdown of communication. Security vehicles or ambulances cannot access the area as roads are dug up. The government is doing nothing to resolve these problems and Maoists have literally taken over Bhamragad,” the former finance minister alleged.

“This is the sixth incident of its kind in Bhamragad. In Etapalli, Sironcha and Korchi talukas too, telecommunication lines have broken down," Khadse pointed out calling for immediate action by the state.

In the past couple of years, over four dozen security personnel have lost their lives in Maoist attacks in the district.