Bastar IG P Sundarraj on Tuesday called the killing of top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma a "decisive advantage" for security forces. He added that the militants now have no choice but to surrender and integrate into the mainstream or face consequences.
Hidma, accused of orchestrating over 26 armed assaults on security forces and civilians, was reportedly shot dead in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharamaraju district.
After top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was neutralised by security forces on Tuesday, Congress leader TS Singh Deo welcomed the development and termed it a "major step" in the ongoing anti-Naxal operations.
The 43-year-old top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was responsible for at least 26 deadly attacks against security forces and civilians, including the 2017 Sukma attack in which 26 CRPF personnel were killed, was eliminated during an encounter on Tuesday.
elangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday appealed to active Maoist leaders and cadres to surrender and join mainstream life, urging them to become partners in the nation's development.
Highlighting the steady decline in Naxal-affected regions, Shah said that the number of the most affected districts had dropped from six to three, while the total number of affected districts had fallen to 11 from 18.
Naxal Commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and its Politburo member, along with 60 other Naxalites, surrendered in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli Police headquarters.
Malloujula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and its Politburo member, laid down weapons along with 60 Maoist cadres in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli on Tuesday, signalling a potential move towards peace with the Centre.
Three senior leaders of the CPI (Maoist) surrendered and joined the mainstream in Telangana on Friday, officials said. The surrender took place in the presence of the Director General of Police, Telangana.
Those neutralized in the gun battle have been identified as Sahadev Soren, a Central Committee Member of Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore; Raghunath Hembram, a Special Area Committee Member with a reward of Rs 25 lakh; and Virsen Ganjhu, a Zonal Committee Member carrying a reward of
The operation was carried out jointly by the district police and the COBRA battalion following specific intelligence about the movement of senior CPI (Maoist) leaders in the region.
According to the official statement, both of them were involved in planting a 4 kg IED 150 meters from Kowande Police Station intending to target police personnel.