31 Maoists Killed in Abujhmad Encounter; Identification of 29 Confirmed

29 Maoists Identified Among 31 Killed in Abujhmad Encounter, Including High-Ranking Leaders; Security Forces Deliver Major Blow to Terrorists in Bastar Region.

The Narrative World    09-Oct-2024   
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In a major victory for security forces in Chhattisgarh, 31 Maoists were killed in a fierce encounter at Nendur-Thulthuli, situated in the dense forests of the Eastern Bastar and Abujhmad Division.
 
The incident, which occurred on October 4, led to the identification of 29 out of the 31 Maoists, who carried a combined bounty of ₹2 crore 15 lakhs.
 
The Superintendent of Police, Dantewada, Mr. Gaurav Rai, confirmed the development, stating that the identification process for the slain Maoists is almost complete, barring two individuals whose verification is still ongoing.
 
Among those identified are top-ranking Maoist leaders, including commanders and members of the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation’s People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Company No. 6.
 
Key Maoist Commanders Identified
 
Bastar Range Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sundarraj P., revealed that the encounter neutralised several high-profile Maoists. The killed terrorists include 1 DKSZC commander, 1 CYPC commander, 3 DVCM (Divisional Committee Members), and multiple members from PLGA’s Company No. 6.
 
A detailed list released by the police highlights the identities of 29 Maoists, some of whom carried rewards as high as ₹25 lakhs.
 
Among the prominent figures is Niti alias Urmila, a 45-year-old senior Maoist leader and secretary of the Eastern Bastar Division. Urmila had a bounty of ₹25 lakhs on her head and was a resident of Hirmagunda village in Bijapur district.
 
Also identified was Nandu Mandavi, a CYPC commander of Company No. 6 with a reward of ₹10 lakhs, hailing from Bhairamgarh in Bijapur.
 
Several DVCMs, including Meena Netam and Mahesh, each carrying ₹8 lakh rewards, were among those killed.
 
Other notable names included Arjun alias Ranjit, a 30-year-old member of PLGA Company No. 6, and Suresh Salam alias Janku, a DVCM from Narayanpur district.
 
The End of a Maoist Stronghold?
 
The encounter marks a significant blow to the Maoist terrorism in the Bastar region, which has been a long-standing base for the Maoists.
 
The dense forests of the Abujhmad area, often considered impenetrable, have served as a strategic hideout for the Maoist terrorists.
 
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dantewada, Mr. Kamalochan Kashyap, stated that the ongoing identification process for the remaining Maoists will be completed soon.
 
In his statement, Bastar Range IG Mr. Sundarraj P. reiterated the diminishing options for the Maoist terrorists, urging them to surrender.
 
"The banned and illegal CPI (Maoist) organisation is left with no choice but to surrender and renounce violence. We once again appeal to them to join mainstream society or be prepared to face the consequences," he said.
 
The police disclosed that the encounter was the result of a well-coordinated intelligence operation, where security forces successfully tracked and neutralised the Maoist leaders. The operation is seen as a significant step in curbing the terrorism in Chhattisgarh's red corridor.
 
List of Identified Maoists
 
The police released the identities of the slain Maoists, many of whom were involved in high-profile attacks and carried large bounties. Among the identified:
 
Niti aka Urmila (45 years), Eastern Bastar Division Secretary, ₹25 lakh bounty, Bijapur District.
 
Nandu Mandavi, CYPC Commander, ₹10 lakh bounty, Bijapur District.
 
Suresh Salam aka Janku, DVCM Aamdai Area Committee, ₹8 lakh bounty, Narayanpur District.
 
Meena Netam (44 years), DVCM, ₹8 lakh bounty, Narayanpur District.
 
Mahesh, DVCM, ₹8 lakh bounty, Dantewada District.
 
Arjun aka Ranjit (30 years), PLGA Company No. 6 member, ₹8 lakh bounty, Narayanpur District.
 
Sundar aka Kamlu, PLGA Company No. 6 member, ₹8 lakh bounty, Bijapur District.
 
The police further identified multiple other Maoists from the PLGA and area committees, with bounties ranging from ₹2 to ₹8 lakhs.
 
Appeal to Maoists to Surrender
 
The encounter underscores the intense efforts by security forces to clamp down on Maoist activities in the region.
 
The authorities have appealed to remaining Maoists to surrender, emphasising the lack of options available to those continuing with terrorist activities.
 
The Chhattisgarh police have been intensifying their anti-Maoist operations in recent months, with several surrenders and encounters reported across the state.
 
As security forces continue to dominate Maoist strongholds, this encounter is being hailed as one of the most significant successes in recent times, further tightening the grip on insurgent activities in Chhattisgarh.
 
Report by
Shomen Chandra
Sub Editor, The Narrative