New Delhi, March 22
With civil contractors reluctant to take up road construction work in Naxal-hit areas, the CRPF has for the first time taken upon itself to build a 7-km stretch in the Maoist hotbed of Sukma in Chhattisgarh.

The force, which is guarding a number of road projects in the state, one of which came under attack in Tongapal last week killing 15 securitymen, will soon bid for the tender and related procedures of gaining rights to construct the particular patch considered one of the lifelines of the area.

The paramilitary will deploy its civil engineer troopers and supervisors to oversee completion of the project and it will be guarded by an armed squad.

"This is a pioneer step we have taken to ensure that road projects in Naxal areas are taken up and completed. Our engineering wing will supervise this maiden project that been undertaken by the force," CRPF chief Dilip Trivedi said.

He was speaking after reviewing the security in the state following last week's Naxal attack on security personnel in the Bastar area. The CRPF Director- General said it was essential for security forces to "dominate" the roads in these areas as they were harbingers of development in far-off areas and hence an eyesore for Naxals.

"We are determined to continue with road construction and securing tasks. Such attacks (last week in Tongapal) will not deter us," Trivedi said. — PTI