Chhattisgarh Speaker Raman Singh Recounts Harrowing Encounter with Maoist Gunfire

Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Raman Singh experienced a harrowing encounter during a visit to his Lok Sabha constituency in Rajnandgaon district when unexpected gunfire erupted, creating widespread panic in the streets. This incident became his first direct exposure to Maoist violence in his state—a memory that remains vivid in his mind.

During his address at the NDTV Chhattisgarh Conclave, the former chief minister shared his experiences from a time when Maoist violence significantly impacted the state.

Singh had been visiting Chhuriya, a town within his Lok Sabha constituency, though the exact timing of this incident remains unspecified.

The Speaker recalled noticing men in uniform installing barbed wire as he entered Chhuriya. When he inquired about the substantial police presence, the local MLA explained it was for his protection. A bus was positioned at some distance, and shortly after passing it and entering the town, gunfire broke out.

"Upon entering Chhuriya, gunfire erupted near a police station not far away. When I questioned the MLA about the noise, he claimed firecrackers were being set off to celebrate my arrival. Hundreds of villagers rushed toward me and helped me out of the jeep, escorting me to an officer's residence," Singh recounted during the conclave.

The shooting continued for an hour. Once it subsided, Singh was the first to arrive at the Chhuriya police station. The sub-inspector and two constables had managed to survive the assault by maintaining continuous defensive fire. One Maoist was killed during the exchange.

"That incident remains clear in my memory. I observed them on the road but only realized what was happening after the gunfire began. This was once the reality of Chhattisgarh," he reflected.

Singh also expressed criticism of previous administrations for their perceived lack of determination to eliminate Maoist violence from Chhattisgarh.

"Delhi had a Congress government while Chhattisgarh had a BJP government. The Congress-led central government squandered 10 years. If that government had possessed the capability to develop effective policies and make decisive actions, Naxalism would have been eradicated from Chhattisgarh much earlier," Singh stated.