Latest news with #Maoists
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Gadchiroli district, four taluks in Gondia remain 'Naxal-infested': Maharashtra Government
'The entire Gadchiroli district and four taluks in Gondia remain 'Naxal-infested,' according to the Maharashtra Government. The Naxal tag has raised eyebrows as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared part of Gadchiroli "free of Maoist activities" over five months ago and asserted south Gadchiroli would soon be rid of the Maoist menace. Editorial | Decisive moment: On Chhattisgarh anti-Maoist operation A Government Resolution (GR) on Friday (June 27, 2025) stated that Gondia, Salekasa, Devri and Arjuni Morgaon taluks in Gondia district and the entire Gadchiroli district are 'Naxal-infested.' It said the declaration is based on the Central Government's list of Maoist-affected areas. Gadchiroli is often referred to as the last district of Maharashtra as it is on the State's eastern border. After felicitating C60 commandos in January, Mr. Fadnavis said Maharashtra will soon become free of Maoists given the rise in the number of Maoists laying down their arms and the movement failing to attract recruits. "Gadchiroli Police almost eradicated Naxal activities in the district. North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoist activities and south Gadchiroli will soon become free from Maoists," he had told reporters, claiming that the dominance of Maoists in remote areas of Gadchiroli district was waning. 'The government has started the process to make Gadchrioli the 'first district' by eliminating the dominance of Maoists,' he said.
New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No gazette notification issued for GO 49 implementation: Minister Jupally Krishna Rao
ADILABAD: The state government on Friday sought to allay the fears of the Adivasis and MPs and MLAs in the wake of the issue of GO No 49 related to Kumurambheem Tiger Conservation Project in Kumurambheem-Asifabad district. Prohibition and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao tried to address the concerns raised by the Adivasi leaders at PMR Hall at the ITDA Utnoor's office. He stressed that no gazette notification had been issued and instructed authorities to refrain from releasing one until further discussions. The minister said he would raise the issue with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Forest Minister Konda Surekha, along with other officials concerned, to arrive at a decision. Meanwhile, a letter purportedly written by spokesperson of the banned Telangana state committee of CPI Maoist, Jagan, on Thursday night alleged that the GO 49, issued by the government on May 5, 2025, was adversely affecting 339 tribal villages in three districts — Mulugu, Kumurambheem Asifabad and Bhadradri-Kothagudem. Responding to the letter on Friday, Panchayati Raj Minister D Anasuya alias Seethakka expressed doubt that the letter was written by the Maoists. The minister said that the letter was written in an abusive language and had become a tool in the hands of her political opponents to target her.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Hyderabad court acquits bizman accused of marrying IAS officer while married to actress
HYDERABAD: A businessman accused of marrying an IAS officer while keeping his first wife, an actress, in the dark, was recently acquitted by a city court. He faced charges of bigamy (496) and cheating (420) of the IPC for marrying the bureaucrat. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A woman IPS officer was witness to the marriage as the ceremony was held at her home in the city. Initially, the case against the two officials, both of whom are currently in Andhra Pradesh, was dropped due to lack of evidence, while the III additional chief judicial magistrate at Hyderabad took up the trial against the businessman and set him free as charges against him could not be proved. The case was initially registered at SR Nagar police station in May 2016 on a complaint from the actress. She claimed that she had married the accused in 1994, and they had a son. She alleged that the accused left their home with her valuables and married the IAS officer in April 2016, at the residence of the IPS officer. She also claimed that IPS officer signed as a witness, along with IAS officer's PA and other staff. For the IAS officer, it was also the second marriage as her husband, an IPS officer, was killed in a mine blast by the Maoists. Police told the court that they had recorded the statements of witnesses and found that allegations against two officers were not established. They dropped their names and filed a chargesheet only against the businessman. During the trial, the judge noted that key witnesses were not produced before the court, and marriage-related claims were not proved with documentary evidence. The actress also did not appear before the court to testify. Though the witnesses examined during the trial, including a neighbour and a watchman, confirmed the couple (the accused and the actress) lived together, they did not support allegations related to the marriage. Ruling that the charges against the accused could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt, the court acquitted him of all charges.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Protests mar Railways' survey to lay tracks in Bastar
The Indian Railways and Chhattisgarh government are at work to lay train tracks and start rail services inside the state's Bastar region. Railway authorities are conducting surveys before preparing a detailed project report(DPR). Once complete - it will be the first time train services will start in areas that have been for decades a red corridor. The Centre and the state government's have plans of developing the Bastar region and making it accessible to all in line with the Centre's aim of eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Those conducting surveys in Naxal violence affected districts are facing protests and attacks, allegedly by Maoists supported groups. (AFP) But there is a problem. Those conducting surveys in Naxal violence affected districts are facing protests and attacks, allegedly by Maoists supported groups. The Chairman of the Railway Board on Thursday wrote to the Chhattisgarh government about difficulties its officers are facing in conducting a final location survey(FSL) in Naxal affected areas within Bastar, officials aware of the matter said. HT has seen a letter dated June 26 by Satish Kumar, chairman of the railway board to the state government. Kumar in his letter said that the railway project is being monitored by the home ministry as it is important for the development of the area. People aware of the matter said that the proposed railway line from Kothagudem(Telangana) to Kirandul(Chhattisgarh) passes through the three most Naxal affected districts - Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada. The proposed alignment passes through three states of Telangana(9.5 km), Andhra Pradesh(12.32km) and the longest stretch within Chhattisgarh at 138.51 km. Kumar in his letter said that while the FSL was completed in parts of Chhattisgarh and the other two states, the teams were facing resistance in Bijapur and Dantewada districts. The officials have to conduct surveys within 26 km of Dantewada and 35 km of Bijapur district - both districts are still included in the list of districts most affected by left wing extremism(LWE) -- where security forces regularly have gunfights with Naxal cadres. 'While in other parts the alignment survey has been completed, the survey work in Dantewada district and Bijapur district is facing challenges and gets hindered due to local resistance,' the top railway board officer said adding that during a meeting held with the state government, the collectors of the districts were briefed about the issue. Furthermore the officer said that on June 9, during the process of survey in Dantewada, the survey teams were interrupted and assaulted by local villagers. 'The incident was immediately brought to the notice of district magistrate(DM) and additional superintendent of police(ASP) of Dantewada…Due to these disruptions, the survey work in the balance portion of Dantewada district and Bijapur is held up. The FSL work for the proposed railway line is very important for the development of the region and is being monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA),' the letter said. When contacted a senior Chhattisgarh government official, who asked not to be named, said that the district magistrate and district superintendents have been instructed to provide full security to the railway personnel and also allay fears of locals. 'The state government has assured the tribals that the project will not negatively impact the community. Instead they will benefit from the development in the this, the collectors of Dantewada and Bijapur have been instructed to provide security and support to the survey team and address the concerns of the locals. He added that even the Centre is monitoring the work and is taking all possible steps to protect the interest of the tribal communities during the construction of a new railway line.' A senior police officer explained there are two kinds of protesters who object to construction/development works within Bastar range. The first are villagers, who have lived under Naxal control all these years.'There were road blockades in Naryanpur (another LWE affected district) too until this year. Innocent villagers were brainwashed all these years. In their case, counselling often leads to a solution. The second category is of the groups set up by Naxals. There are many groups such as Maad Bachao Manch(Save Abujhmad Group), which have already been declared banned groups by the Centre. These groups are propped up by Naxals to block roads and not allow development work. Maoists want tribals not to get access to healthcare, schools or any other government work so they fund these protests).' The state government has planned to develop Bastar and other parts of the state once the areas are freed from Naxal influence. Connecting the Bastar region with other parts of the country via rail is one of the projects of the government keeping in mind the tourism sector as the areas have been under control of Naxals for over 4-5 decades. 'The FLS Work of Kothagudem - Kirandual work is in progress in Chhattisgarh state. The work at present however has been stopped due to resistance by villagers in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. In spite of assistance provided by the State Govt and support of local administration the work is being stopped intermittently due to local resistance,' Chief public relations officer (CPRO), South Central Railways said. Former CPI leader Manish Kunjam, who has been the face of many protests by tribals in Chhattisgarh, said 'I am not aware of any such protests related to survey by railway officials. People on the ground are not aware of the proposed railway line. But let me say that the railway line is a way of taking away iron ore from the state. Are the villages and owner of the land being consulted before their land is being surveyed?The 1994 Panchayati Raj Act 1994 basically says that the land cannot be acquired before consultation of the gram Sabhas.'
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
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.
