Tribal youth burn Naxal banners in Gadchiroli

The tribal youth of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra protested against the Maoist ultras and their 'Naxal Week' by burning banners. Tribals also raised slogans against the Maoist ultras and their banners were put up on Jarawandi-Kasansur Road in the district.

Nagpur (Maharashtra):Tribal youth from two villages in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra on Sunday burnt banners exhorting them to observe 'Naxal Week', an official said.

According to a statement from Gadchiroli police, the Maoist banners were put up on Jarawandi-Kasansur Road in the district.

"Tribal youth from Tadguda and Kusarwahi villages assembled here and set the banners ablaze. They raised slogans against the Maoist ultras as well as their Naxal Week," the statement said.

In another development, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Shailesh Balkawde announced the celebration of 'Adivasi Vikas Week' from June 28 to August 3.

As part of the initiative, career guidance and other welfare schemes will be provided to the youth, the official said.

In May this year, the state government had said 224 security personnel and 246 Naxals were killed in skirmishes and blasts in Gadchiroli since 1980.

Naxals had also killed 571 civilians during this period, a government official had said.

Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia have been declared Naxal-affected districts in Maharashtra by the Ministry of Home Affairs.