CM promises to meet delegation from Silger
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday agreed to meet a delegation from Silger village where three tribal villagers were shot dead on May 17 near a CRPF camp.
Baghel made the commitment to a delegation of civil society groups which called on him at his residence-cum-office.
The Chief Minister informed the delegation that a magisterial probe was being conducted into the Silger incident. The government is ready to meet the development related needs of the people in the area, he said.
The delegation said a delegation from Silger village wanted to meet the Chief Minister. He agreed to meet them.
The delegation included human rights activist Bela Bhatia, Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan Convener Alok Shukla, Chhattisgarh Kisan Sabha President Sanjay Parate and trade union organization ACTU General Secretary Bijendra Tiwari. The Advisor to the Chief Minister, Ruchir Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Subrat Sahoo and Special Director General of Police Ashok Juneja were present. Since May 12, the villagers of Silger in Sukma district have been protesting against a CRPF camp and demanding its removal. After a stampede near the camp on May 17, three tribal villagers were killed and 18 people injured in gunfire. The villagers alleged that a pregnant lady injured in the incident also died later. The Chhattisgarh government has also set up a committee of public representatives and local administration led by Bastar MP Deepak Baij to collect facts about the Silger firing.
Meanwhile, Bela Bhatia and others have sought a judicial enquiry into the incident under the supervision of a retired Chhattisgarh High Court judge.
Villagers of Silger are continuing with their demonstrations.
