450 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar encounters over 20 months: IGP Sundarraj

In a major crackdown, security forces have killed 450 Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division over the past 20 months, Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P said. The latest encounter in Bijapur’s Indravati National Park claimed the lives of senior Maoist leaders, including Urmila and Buchanna.

Kothagudem: As many as 450 Maoists of different ranks were killed in encounters between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division in the past 20 months, informed Bastar Range Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj P.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Sundarraj shared the details of Maoists killed in an encounter in the forests of Indravati National Park area of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. He said that Madded area committee in-charge Kanna alias Buchanna (DVCM) and Pamed area committee in-charge Urmila (DVCM) each carrying a cash reward of Rs 8 lakh, were among the dead.

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Sundarraj said that a joint team of DRG/STF/Bastar Fighters/CRPF/CAF police forces carried out a search operation in the National Park area following information about the presence of Maoist South Sub-Zonal Bureau in-charge Papa Rao, West Bastar division member Mohan Kadthi, DVCMs Urmila and Buchanna.

Intermittent exchanges of fire took place between the Maoists and the security forces. The bodies of Buchanna, Urmila, Madded Area Committee member Jagat Thamo alias Motu, carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh, party members Deve, Bhagat and Mangli Oyam each carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh were recovered along with firearms and ammunition. Urmila was the wife of Papa Rao, he said.

Sundarraj further informed that during the past 20-months nearly 202 Maoists were killed in encounters in Bijapur district alone, which was the main theatre of operations for the security forces, besides Narayanpur and other districts under Abujhmad area.

Maoists Politburo members Devji and Ganapathi, Central Committee members Sangram, Hidma, Ganesh, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee members Papa Rao, Vasudev and others were among the Maoists still operating in Chhattisgarh. Time is running out for Maoist top cadres and PLGA cadres; they should take the right decision and quit arms to join mainstream life, he said.

The security forces have been continuing their operations facing harsh weather conditions and tough forest terrain in all the Maoists affected districts in the State. Support systems were in place for the security forces at all operational areas, he added.