Over 11,000 runners take part in Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon

RAIPUR

: With an aim to provide a platform to sports potential in the Naxal-affected area and to remove the fear created in the minds of the people due to Naxal activities in the area,

Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon

was organized in Maoist-affected Narayanpur district on Saturday.

The 21km marathon kicked off from Narayanpur district headquarters and concluded at village Basing in Orchha block of the district. Over 11,000 runners from various states of the country including Chhattisgarh and from

Kenya

participated in the marathon.

Shankar Manthapa of Meghalaya clinched the winners title in Mens category by completing the race in 1 hour 2 minutes.

Simon

of Kenya bagged second position finishing the race in 1 hour 5 minutes 20 seconds and Shri Ramnarayan hailing from Dalli-Rajhara of Chhattisgarh bagged third position finishing the race in 1 hour 8 minutes 7 seconds. In the same women's category, Elisa of Kenya country emerged as winner finishing the race in 1 hour 11 minutes 22 seconds. Dimple of Lucknow bagged second position and Renu of Uttar Pradesh bagged third position in womens category. Cash prize of Rs 1.61 lakh was given to the winner, Rs 61,000 to the runner-up and Rs 31,000 to the participant securing third place.

Industry and Excise Minister

Kawasi Lakhma

attend the event held at village Basing. On the occasion he inaugurated, laid foundation stone, and performed Bhoomipujan of various construction works worth Rs 262 crore. He also felicitated the winners and congratulated them for their victory.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Lakhma said such huge participation of people in the marathon shows that now there is an atmosphere of peace, not of fear, in Abujhmad. Abujhmad is changing, now a new story of development is being written here. Development of tribal areas and tribal people are among topmost priority of the state government. He said that soon after the arrival of congress government in Chhattisgarh, work of revenue survey is being started in this area, which has been missing for many years. This will now make it easier for people to get ownership of their land.

Kondagaon MLA Mohan Markam said in his address that the state government is engaged in the welfare work of about 2 crore 80 lakh people of the state. The government is providing employment opportunities to the youth here by training them according to their interests. He congratulated the district administration and police administration along with every member of the committee for the successful event of the marathon.

Narayanpur MLA Chandan Kashyap said that Abujhmad is now slowly returning to complete peace. The youth are joining the mainstream. District collector

Padum Sinh Alma

in his address welcomed the guests and gave information about the development work of the district.

Bastar MP Deepak Baij, Municipal President

Sunita Manjhi

along with IG Bastar Range Sundararaj P, SP

Mohit Garg

and other senior officials and public representatives were present on the occasion.