Chhattisgarh promises millions for insurgency-hit district

RAIPUR - The Chhattisgarh government announced Wednesday it would pump in over Rs. 260 million of development funds in one of the worst Maoist-hit districts, Narayanpur, in Bastar region.

Making the announcement at a public function at district headquarters Narayanpur, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the investment will be mainly for constructions of roads and school buildings.

Singh stated at the gathering that his Bharatiya Janata Party government was working on several welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in insurgency-hit districts to improve people’s life.

Narayanpur and four other districts - Kanker, Bijapur, Bastar and Dantewada - make up a 40,000 sq km iron ore rich but Maoist stronghold Bastar region where guerrillas have ruled the roost in forested interiors since late 1980s.