Raipur Jan 26 PTI Chhattisgarh Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Wednesday said that the three-pronged strategy of trust development and security to improve the law and order situation in the state proved successful in effectively checking the Naxal menace In her Republic Day address to the state at the Police Parade ground in Raipur after unfurling the tricolour Uikey also hailed the state governments initiative to create new employment opportunities in rural and forest areas and to ensure relief to the common people The roots of democracy in Chhattisgarh are very deep My government has strengthened these roots with the schemes of justice Through the steps like withdrawal of police cases imposed on tribals in Naxal-hit areas and returning the money of investors who were duped by chit fund companiesthe work is underway at a rapid pace to ensure relief to people she said The policy of security trust and development has been successful and resulted in putting an effective check on the Naxal menace the governor said Chhattisgarh particularly its Bastar region has been fighting the Maoist menace over the past three decades The matter of satisfaction is that the state government has created new job opportunities in the agriculture sector as well as in rural and forest areas Due to attractive policies and schemes of the state government farmers and their new generations are linked with agricultural work Doors of employment and self-employment have been opened in government semi-government industrial and private sectors the governor said She said the unemployment rate in Chhattisgarh stood at close to 2 per cent for the second time in the last three years Earlier the unemployment rate of the state was 22 per cent and this decline of 20 per cent is a very good indicator she added Hailing various schemes of the Chhattisgarh government the governor also said that Under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana roads to the length of 8980 km have been laid in the last three years Of these roads 4472 km were built in eight Naxal-affected districts Similarly in Naxal-hit areas the number of bank branches and ATMs has increased 560 and 994 respectively she added She said several new schemes have been implemented in the state for workers to ensure that they become self-reliant The state government is soon going to launch Rajiv Gandhi Bhoomihin Krishi Majdoor Nyay Yojna under which registered labourers who do not possess agricultural land will be given financial assistance of Rs 6000 per year The first instalment under the scheme will be given on February 1 she added The governor said the state government has prepared well to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and appealed to people to follow protocols and COVID-appropriate behaviour No cultural programmes were held to mark Republic Day School students were not invited to the venue of unfurling of the national flag in Raipur in compliance with COVID-19 protocols PTI TKP NSK NSK

Raipur Jan 25 PTI Security has been beefed up in all sensitive areas across Chhattisgarh in light of the Republic Say celebrations on Wednesday police said on Tuesday Flag hoisting ceremonies will take place in interior villages where security camps are located in the insurgency-hit Bastar region an official said Governor Anusuiya Uikey will hoist the national flag at the Police Parade ground in capital Raipur while Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will take part in the celebrations at Jagdalpur the headquarters of Bastar district he said The state police and central security forces deployed in the Bastar range are on high alert to ensure peace and order in the region during the Republic Day celebrations Inspector General of Police Bastar range Sundarraj P told PTI Over 14 new security camps were set up in interior areas such as Karigundam Kollaiguda Nahadi Minkapalli Pungarpal etc in the region comprising seven districts in the last one year he said The tricolour will be hoisted in villages near these camps Besides Republic Day will be celebrated by security personnel and locals even in other core areas of the region in keeping with the COVID-19 protocols the official said The camps have lived up to the expectation of the native population by not only creating a secured environment in the region but also facilitating the development works the IG said Security forces have been asked to keep an eye on suspicious movements near government establishments and at interstate borders he said We hope the Republic Day celebrations will strengthen the fabric of nationalism and patriotism even in areas which were once considered Maoist stronghold he said Meanwhile the state government has completed preparations in all the districts to observe Republic Day an official from the public relation department said The states main function will be held at Police Parade Ground in the capital where the governor will hoist the national flag at 9 am and receive the guard of honour from contingents of the state police and paramilitary forces he said There will be no cultural programmes during the functions in Raipur and other district headquarters while all preventive measures such as wearing of masks and physical distancing will be strictly followed the official added PTI TKP ARU ARU

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 12 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs likely to submit a memorandum to Governor Anusuiya Uikey over the matter of religious conversions in the state.