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Maoist Influence In Maha Shrinks To 16 Talukas, Gadchiroli Remains Key Battleground
Maoist Influence In Maha Shrinks To 16 Talukas, Gadchiroli Remains Key Battleground

Time of India

time18 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.

No Monsoon Slowdown, C60s To Go After Maoists In Flooded Jungles Of Abujmarh
No Monsoon Slowdown, C60s To Go After Maoists In Flooded Jungles Of Abujmarh

Time of India

time5 days ago

  • Politics
  • Time of India

No Monsoon Slowdown, C60s To Go After Maoists In Flooded Jungles Of Abujmarh

Nagpur: The monsoon fury will be a big challenge for security forces, when they storm the booby-trapped Maoist headquarters of Abujmarh with Union home minister Amit Shah breaking tradition to continue operations in the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army's (PLGA) bastion in the forested hilly terrains of Central India. While the monsoon was expected to bring a breather to the last standing dalams (formations) and a handful of top guerrillas, Shah's no-respite formula shattered their hope to reorganise, revamp, rehabilitate, and reinvent themselves between June and September, after their truce call was unilaterally junked by the govt. According to senior officials, Abujmarh's flooded rivers, rivulets, and nullahs significantly hinder anti-Maoist operations by restricting mobility, disrupting logistics, and reducing visibility. This offers Maoists a tactical advantage as their cadre comprising local tribals remain holed up in these terrains. The flooded Indravati, Parlakota, Pamulgautam, Godavari, and Pranhita rivers, close to Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, along with Dina and Bande rivers in Gadchiroli, and Kotri and Doodh rivers in Kanker, have been major hurdles for commando operations. Godavari's tributary, the Shabari in south Chhattisgarh, and major nullahs in Gadchiroli and adjoining Chhattisgarh, have posed challenges in penetrating deep into Maoist dens in the tottering red citadel of Abujmarh. With combat boots of security forces sinking in wet forest floor or slipping on slushy hilly terrains, the operations would be near impossible, said a senior official associated with anti-Maoist operations. Another official stated there are high chances that sudden torrential rains may also leave commandos marooned amidst overflowing nullahs and rivers, and poor visibility may further hamper movement. Abujmarh's part in the Bastar region is affected by the Indravati and Godavari rivers and their tributaries. The Doodh river and several unnamed rivulets affect the Kanker side of Abujmarh, largely cutting off villages. The Indravati river also affects Bijapur and Narayanpur districts of Chhattisgarh, from where several operations were launched in the recent past. In Maharashtra's Gadchiroli's Bhamragarh taluka, considered the gateway to Abujmarh from the Gadchiroli side, is among the worst-hit regions during the flood. The Indravati and Godavari rivers, along with Pamulgautam and Parlakota, render the region inaccessible and impossible to use as a launchpad. Another two significant rivers of Gadchiroli, Dina and Bande, are known to flow with much gusto during the monsoon and often above safe levels in the southern part of the district, cutting it off from the headquarters. However, the govt's commitment to continue operations during the monsoon, supported by advanced technology and infrastructure development, aims to deny Maoists this traditional advantage. While Maoists may gain some breathing space, their ability to recharge and retaliate is constrained by recent losses and sustained commando pressure, said an official from a security agency. Meeting Union home minister's March 2026 deadline, which includes an unprecedented continuance of operations in the monsoon, the outcome depends on the security forces' ability to navigate monsoon challenges.

Suspecting them of being police informers, Maoists murder 2 in Chhattisgarh village
Suspecting them of being police informers, Maoists murder 2 in Chhattisgarh village

Indian Express

time6 days ago

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

Suspecting them of being police informers, Maoists murder 2 in Chhattisgarh village

Two residents of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district were murdered on Saturday night by Maoists who suspected them of being police informers, officials said. Bijapur is the Chhattisgarh district worst affected by Maoist violence. The state has reported 22 civilians killed by Maoists this year and 71 last year. Saturday night's incident took place in Sendrobor and Yampur villages in the jurisdiction of Pamed police station. The area is in the southernmost area of Bijapur, towards the Telangana border, near the area where the Maoists' most dangerous battalion — Battalion 1 of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) — is believed to be located. A security camp, Dharmavaram, is located seven kilometres from the villages, and the police station is around 10 km away. Last year, the Dharmavaram camp was attacked by the Battalion 1 with heavy gunfire and rocket launchers, injuring 12 jawans. The NIA recently filed a chargesheet in the case. An official said a group of Maoists came to the villages late at night in Saturday and murdered the two civilians, 'suspecting them to be police informers.' This comes just a few days after the insurgents killed three other civilians in Bijapur. The killings come amid an intensified push by security personnel against the Maoists, leaving the group at their weakest ever condition. Several Maoists, including top leaders, have been killed in recent years. The group's Politburo, its highest decision-making body, has shrunk to just three members: Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu, Thippiri Thirupathi alias Devuji, and Misir Besra alias Sagar. At the height of the insurgency, the Politburo had at least 11-12 members. The Central Committee members have also whittled down to 17 from 42 in 2007-08. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Chhattisgarh for a two-day trip starting Sunday. He is set to visit a security camp and chair a meeting to review ongoing anti-Maoist operations in the state, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma.

Ex-PLGA Head Helps Commandos Navigate IEDs, Storm Abujmarh
Ex-PLGA Head Helps Commandos Navigate IEDs, Storm Abujmarh

Time of India

time16-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Ex-PLGA Head Helps Commandos Navigate IEDs, Storm Abujmarh

1 2 3 Nagpur: In the booby-trapped hills of Abujmarh, once the impregnable stronghold of Maoists, a new dynamic is reshaping the battle against the guerrillas. Giridhar, a former commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Company No. 10 has emerged as a pivotal figure in the security forces' mission to dismantle the Maoist fortress, said an official source. Giridhar, who surrendered before CM Devendra Fadnavis along with his wife last year, has transitioned to a key asset with his intimate knowledge of Maoist camps, routes, exit points, hiding places, and locations of deadly booby traps and spike holes in Abujmarh and its adjoining areas. His inputs have been instrumental in fine-tuning ground-level commando operations in treacherous terrain, said top sources. "After leading the PLGA for three decades, Giridhar's contributions have been critical in Gadchiroli and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where the fight against Maoism has intensified," an official said. Their strategic deployment in operations has helped leverage their expertise in guerrilla warfare. Beyond providing tactical intelligence, these ex-Maoists play a crucial role in identifying the bodies of neutralised Maoists after encounters, as most Maoist cadres lack recent photographs or verifiable records. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Giridhar, in particular, has been summoned multiple times to Chhattisgarh to assist in this task. This week, Giridhar participated in a police-organised blood donation camp in Gadchiroli, joining 330 other such donors. Sources indicate he has shared critical details on Maoist strategies, military techniques, arms training, and artillery information with Gadchiroli police. This intelligence significantly enhanced effectiveness of operations at ground zero, allowing security forces to anticipate and counter Maoist tactics. Giridhar's insights also helped in planning operations that minimise risks to personnel, a key factor in a region where ambushes & IEDs remain constant threats. Giridhar's personal journey is equally noteworthy. After Giridhar's surrender, his marriage was solemnised in the presence of chief minister Fadnavis, symbolising a new chapter in his life last week. His transformation from a Maoist commander to a state collaborator reflects the broader success of rehabilitation programmes for surrendered cadres. Over the past two years, approximately 60 Maoists surrendered before Gadchiroli police under SP Neelotpal. While senior officials remain tight-lipped about the specifics of how former Maoists are utilised, sources confirm that their clandestine involvement has saved commandos in Abujmarh's unforgiving terrain. Chhattisgarh, too, recognised the value of former Maoists, inducting some of them into its security forces.

Kerala: NIA interrogates two suspected PLGA members in KFDC office attack case
Kerala: NIA interrogates two suspected PLGA members in KFDC office attack case

New Indian Express

time10-06-2025

  • New Indian Express

Kerala: NIA interrogates two suspected PLGA members in KFDC office attack case

KOCHI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) has interrogated two suspected members of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the armed wing of the banned CPI (Maoist), in connection with the attack on the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) office in Wayanad in September 2023. The two accused—Santhosh Kumar A alias Raja of Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, and H S Ravindra alias Manojage of Sringeri, Karnataka—were taken into NIA custody for five days. Santhosh was arrested by the Kerala Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Tamil Nadu last year, while Ravindra had surrendered to police in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, in January this year. 'During the investigation, evidence of their involvement in the Wayanad attack was established. The NIA Court in Kochi granted custody of the accused for five days. They were later produced in court and remanded in judicial custody,' sources said.

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