Maoist Influence In Maha Shrinks To 16 Talukas, Gadchiroli Remains Key Battleground
Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt has declared that Maoist influence in the state is now confined to just 16 talukas, with 12 in Gadchiroli district and four in Gondia, signalling a significant decline.
A government resolution (GR) on Friday highlights the waning strength of the Maoist movement, particularly in their former stronghold of Abujmarh, straddling Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The GR also directed the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) to monitor and review the Maoist tag on the twin districts of Gadchiroli and Gondia and submit a detailed report.
Security forces estimate that only around 30 armed fighters of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and 15 logistics supporters remain active in the region, with their leadership facing an imminent collapse.
The GR supersedes earlier notifications from 2004 and 2005 that identified multiple districts, including Nanded, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Gadchiroli as Maoist-hit, said sources. Over the years, sustained operations by security forces significantly weakened the Maoist grip. A 2021 review led to the current classification, designating the entire Gadchiroli district (12 talukas) and four talukas in Gondia— Gondia, Salekasa, Arjuni Morgaon, and Deori — as Naxal-affected.
Gadchiroli has been a focal point of anti-Maoist operations, with significant successes in recent years. Over the past two years, approximately 35 Maoists were neutralised, 65 surrendered, and 70 were arrested in the district. In contrast, Gondia has seen minimal Maoist activity, with only three cadres surrendering and one arrested in the same period. The stark reduction in Maoist strength is attributed to relentless security operations, loss of local support, and internal disarray within the Maoist ranks.
Abujmarh, once a formidable bastion, is now described as a tottering stronghold, with security forces closing in on the remaining cadres.
The state's efforts to curb Naxalism date back to govt decisions in 2004 and 2005, which initially declared multiple districts and talukas as Naxal-affected. Subsequent reviews and GRs in 2013, 2014, and 2015 refined these classifications, reflecting the evolving situation. The 2021 Cabinet meeting further emphasised aligning Maharashtra's list of Naxal-affected areas with the Central Government's designations, prompting the latest review.
The DGP's report, which informed the recent GR, underscores the sharp decline in Maoist activities and the need for continued vigilance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
MP Congress Chief Jitendra Patwari Booked For 'Bribing' Man To Claim He Was Fed Faeces
Last Updated: According to Madhya Pradesh Police, the claim of being fed human excreta turned out to be fake as they were made on "Jitu Patwari's demand." Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitendra Patwari is facing legal trouble after being accused of bribing a villager to falsely claim he was forced to eat human excreta. State police have filed a case based on an affidavit in which the villager alleged that some Congress leaders took him to Patwari, who then, offering a bribe, persuaded him to make the claim against the sarpanch of Mungaoli village. Earlier on June 25, Patwari posted a video on social media platform X showing him sitting with two brothers who alleged one of them was fed human excreta. Along with the video, the Congress leader posted a caption, blaming the BJP-led state government. प्रधानमंत्री जी, @BJP4MP सत्ता का जंगलराज अराजकता की हद पार करता जा रहा है! लोधी समाज के युवक के मुंह में 'मानव-मल" ठूंस दिया गया, क्योंकि उसने 'राशन की पर्ची" मांग ली थी!आरोप है कि चूंकि, आरोपी @BJP4India विधायक बृजेंद्र यादव के समर्थक हैं! इसीलिए @DGP_MP व @CMMadhyaPradesh … — Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari (@jitupatwari) June 25, 2025 In the over 8-minute clip, he claimed a youth from the Lodhi community was targeted simply for asking for a ration slip. 'Prime Minister Ji, @BJP4MP The jungle rule of power is crossing the limits of anarchy! A youth from the Lodhi community had 'human excrement" stuffed in his mouth just because he asked for a 'ration slip"! ," Patwari tweeted in Hindi. In response to the FIR, Patwari 'welcomed" the move, remaining firm at the villager's claim and his criticism of the ruling government's handling of the incident. The Congress leader alleged that the accused are supporters of BJP MLA Brijendra Yadav which is why the DGP and the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav are not taking any action in the matter. 'It is alleged that since the accused are supporters of @BJP4India MLA Brijendra Yadav, that's why @DGP_MP and @CMMadhyaPradesh are not allowing any action to be taken?," Patwari further wrote on X. Recalling the incident in which a tribal youth was urinated upon in the state, he questioned, 'Why does #BJP consider Dalits, backward classes, and tribals as its enemies in Madhya Pradesh?." 'In this same Madhya Pradesh, a shameful incident of urinating on the head of a tribal youth has already taken place! Why does #BJP consider Dalits, backward classes, and tribals as its enemies in Madhya Pradesh?," he added. Slamming the BJP-led government, Patwari alleged that the law and order situation in the state has 'completely collapsed" and the people 'want freedom from this jungle rule! " 'The law and order in Madhya Pradesh have completely collapsed, yet @DrMohanYadav51 remains the Home Minister with arrogance! Meanwhile, the people of Madhya Pradesh now want freedom from this jungle rule! ," he wrote while concluding his post. According to Madhya Pradesh Police, the claim of being fed human excreta turned out to be fake as they were made on 'Jitu Patwari's demand." 'Later, he (the villager) said that the allegations about this were false, and he made this allegation on Jitu Patwari's demand… Based on this, a case has been filed against Jitu Patwari and his aides under various sections of BNS," news agency ANI quoted SP Vineet Kumar Jain as saying. News agency PTI reported that Mungavali police station in-charge Joginder Singh alleged that Patwari tried to mislead by sharing a video on social media to spread animosity in the society, instigate fighting among caste communities and disrupt peace. Singh said the complainant stated that he had been beaten up but denied that he was fed faeces. The complainant, in the FIR, has claimed Patwari promised him a motorcycle and said he would take care of his family, PTI reported. Reacting to the case filed against him, Jitendra Patwari said he would continue to raise his voice for the oppressed. 'The opposition should fulfil its responsibility when there are atrocities on the farmers, Dalits and the government should take it positively and take action. The government, on the contrary, commits a sin which is not its duty," news agency ANI quoted Patwari as saying. The Congress leader further said the FIR against him has once again exposed the 'dictatorship" of the ruling forces and their efforts to suppress the voice of the victims, PTI reported. 'This matter is not limited to just one FIR but is part of a deep conspiracy of pressure and manipulation by the ruling party, which is being hatched to defame the opposition leaders and bury the truth," PTI quoted him as saying. Patwari further pointed out that two days after the matter made headlines, the youth retracted his statement and claimed in an affidavit to the collector that he had made false allegations at his behest. Patwari alleged that the pressure of CM Mohan Yadav's government is visible behind the youth's affidavit and FIR. 'The way this whole matter turned around overnight shows the misuse of power and influence by the ruling party," he added. About the Author First Published:
Hindustan Times
44 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Day after beginning of Rath Yatra in Puri, chariots of deities reach 'aunt's place'
Puri, The chariots of sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - on Saturday reached the destination Gundicha Temple, a day after the Rath Yatra began in Puri. Day after beginning of Rath Yatra in Puri, chariots of deities reach 'aunt's place' Gundicha Temple is considered the aunt's place of the deities who go there every year after leaving the 12th-century Jagannath temple, situated at a distance of 2.6 km. They will go back to the main temple after nine days. The return car journey, known as 'Bahuda Yatra', will held this year on 5 July. Earlier in the day, amid chanting of 'Jai Jagannath' & 'Hari bol', devotees resumed pulling the three chariots around 10 am, after the Rath Yatra was halted on June 27 night. The chariots were scheduled to reach Gundicha temple by the evening of Friday. But they had to be stopped on Grand Road as Lord Balabhadra's Taladwaja chariot got stuck while negotiating a turn, preventing the other two from advancing. According to the tradition, 'Taladwaj' rolls first, followed by 'Darpadalan' of Devi Subhadra and 'Nandighosh' of Lord Jagannath. The chariots with deities inside were kept on the road overnight amid tight security. Thousands of devotees who spent the night in the holy town, joined in large numbers in chariot pulling amid sounds of gongs and conches. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, DGP YB Khurania and other senior officials were found pulling Lord Jagannath's 'Nandighosh'. After the chariots reached their destination, they were parked outside the Gundicha temple. The deities will be taken inside the temple on Sunday in a ceremonial procession. "We thank all stakeholders including devotees for the conduct of Rath Yatra,' Arabinda Padhee, the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration said. Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made for the security of the chariots and controlling the crowd, said DGP YB Khurania. Meanwhile, over 600 devotees were treated at different hospitals in Puri after becoming ill during the Rath Yatra on Saturday. While many of them were injured due to jostling, more than 200 people fainted in the hot and humid weather conditions. An estimated one million devotees participated in the annual Rath Yatra on Friday and around 5 lakh people were in the holy town on Saturday, officials said adding that the weather was favourable on Saturday even though there was light rain. The Rath Yatra is being held amid unprecedented security arrangements with the deployment of around 10,000 personnel of Odisha Police, the central armed police force, NSG and others. The police have made all arrangements for the smooth conduct of Rath Yatra, a senior official said adding that over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras were installed to keep a watch on the crowd. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt orders extensive scrutiny of docus to identify illegal Bangladeshi beneficiaries
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a bid to weed out illegal Bangladeshi beneficiaries of welfare schemes, the Maharashtra government has directed various departments to scrutinise verification documents, particularly those related to identity, residence, and entitlement to growing concerns over national security and misuse of public resources, a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Friday directed departments to maintain a record of individuals who obtained government certificates using forged or manipulated individuals, once identified, will be blacklisted and their details made publicly available on departmental websites to prevent further misuse across government seeking benefits under personal welfare schemes will now be required to sign declarations confirming their Indian citizenship and acknowledging that any false claim based on fake documentation could lead to criminal GR noted that illegal immigrants, especially in urban and rural areas, are using counterfeit documents to access subsidies and employment opportunities."This not only leads to an undue burden on the state exchequer but also raises concerns of internal security, especially if such individuals go unchecked in sensitive sectors".The government has mandated that all documents- particularly those related to identity, residence, and entitlement to benefits- should be issued in digital format, embedded with barcodes or QR codes to allow real-time verification."Departments have been told to implement online systems that can validate the authenticity of submitted certificates directly with the issuing authority," the GR government observed higher chances of forgery and tampering in rural Maharashtra where documents are often still issued also noted that low-wage illegal immigrants often find employment in household or agricultural work in villages, where background verification is rarely carried government directed district administrations to increase vigilance. It said Police Patils (village-level police liaison officers) will be tasked with reporting any suspicious undocumented individuals residing in their jurisdiction. Instructions in this regard will be uniformly issued by district collectors."Contractual staff working in government departments who are involved in the preparation or issuance of official documents will be made legally accountable if found to have facilitated such forgery, knowingly or unknowingly," the GR government directed authorities to immediately cancel documents such as government certificates possessed by illegal Bangladeshi nationals. If necessary, amendments to the relevant laws, rules or regulations will be carried out in consultation with the legal department, it government said owners of commercial establishments where illegal Bangladeshi migrants are found working will be held accountable."It should be ensured that illegal Bangladeshi migrants will not be given employment at any cost. This directive is part of a broader administrative push to ensure the integrity of public services and protect national interests, the GR said.
