Contradictory claims over ‘hostage’ situation in Chhattisgarh during Narendra Modi’s visit

Raipur: Contradictory claims were made on Saturday over the 'hostage' situation in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh where Maoists were said to have seized 400-500 villagers during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to adjoining Dantewada.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Sukma, Harish Rathore said anywhere between 400 and 500 villagers were "taken away" to the jungles by the rebels opposing construction of a bridge, while Inspector General of Police, Bastar region, R P Kalluri, called it a "fiction" created by the media.

Maoists have been opposing the construction of a bridge on a river near Marenga village that they apprehended would facilitate increased mobility

Read: Narendra Modi addresses rally in Dantewada, Naxals take 500 villagers hostage

"A large number of armed cadres stormed into Marenga and adjoining villages under restive Tongpal police station limits late last night and took away 400-500 villagers, including women and children, along with them," ASP Rathore said. "There were some men working on the project among the villagers shepherded into the adjoining forest."

Kalluri, on the other hand, said, "The hostage situation is a fiction created by the media... Yesterday, some Maoists raided the village where a bridge is being constructed and they took away a few men on the job.”

"As is the usual practice, villagers of Marenga have gone to the jungle to speak to the Maoists and negotiate the release of these men. Reports of 500-600 villagers held by Maoists is total fiction," he said.

Security forces are combing the forests around Tongpal to rescue them.

Meanwhile, Modi, who is on a visit to the neighbouring Dantewada district, said there was no future for violence in democracy. "Only plough on shoulders can bring development, not guns," he said addressing a rally at Dantewada.

"The macabre drama of death will end," he said, referring to naxal violence in the state.

The Prime Minister inaugurated a slew of development projects worth Rs 24,000 crore in the south Bastar region, worst-hit by the Naxal menance, during his day-long stay in Chhattisgarh.