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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated,...

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated, highlighting the dramatic turnaround. He revealed that from approximately 100 Maoist cadres on record in January 2024, the number has plummeted to barely 10 individuals whose movements are now confined to a very small pocket of the Bhamragad sub-division in South Gadchiroli, near the Chhattisgarh border. “North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoism. The Maoists have to surrender and join the mainstream or face police action... there is no other option.” The SP attributes this success to a meticulously executed multi-pronged strategy encompassing intensified anti-Maoist operations, a robust Civic Action Programme, and the effective utilisation of Maharashtra’s attractive surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. The Gadchiroli Police, especially the elite C-60 commandos, have achieved significant operational milestones. In the last three years alone, they have neutralised 43 hardcore Maoists and achieved a 100 per cent success rate in operations without police casualties for nearly five years. SP Neelotpal highlighted that the security forces have aggressively moved to close the “security vacuum,” which was once an estimated 3,000 square kilometres of unpoliced territory used by Maoists for training and transit. The establishment of eight new police camps/Forward Operating Bases (FoBs) since January 2023, including in the remote Abujhmad foothills, has been crucial in securing these areas permanently. Winning Hearts, Minds The Civic Action Programme has been deemed a “game changer” by the SP. Through schemes like ‘Police Dadalora Khidaki’ and ‘Project Udaan’, the police have transformed remote outposts into service delivery centres, providing essential government services and employment opportunities. This sustained outreach has successfully countered Maoist propaganda and, most critically, resulted in zero Maoist recruitment from Gadchiroli for the last few years. Surrender Wave The state’s progressive rehabilitation policy has seen a massive influx of surrenders. “One sentiment is common among all the surrendered cadres: that the movement has ended, it has lost public support, and without public support, no movement can sustain,” the SP noted. The surrender of key figures, notably that of Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias ‘Bhupathi,’ a CPI (Maoist) Politburo member, and his wife Sangeeta, was a “landmark development” that triggered a surrender wave. Since June 2024, over 126 Maoists have surrendered. The rehabilitation program offers land, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and employment. Surrendered cadres are receiving skill training and are successfully transitioning into normal life, with around 70 already employed in the local Lloyds plant. A District Reborn The transformation of Gadchiroli is now moving beyond security concerns. With the decline of extremism, the district is rapidly moving towards development and normalcy. The implementation of development schemes, round-the-clock electricity, water supply, mobile towers, and new infrastructure like roads and bridges is being given top priority. He concludes that the police’s focus is now shifting from an anti-Maoist offensive to routine law-and-order policing, addressing new challenges like industrialisation, theft, and traffic management. With the Maoist movement in “complete disarray” and major strongholds like the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zone collapsing, the SP is highly optimistic. Gadchiroli is not just getting rid of the Naxal menace; it is embracing its future as a developing, peaceful district, well on track to meet the central government’s goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Back with a bang!

Updated: Nov 25, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Devendra Fadnavis’s resurgence in the Maharashtra assembly elections of 2024 is a fascinating political narrative, marked by strategic acumen, grassroots mobilization, and a keen understanding of the electorate’s pulse. His war-cry of ‘Mi Punha Yein’ (I shall be back) turned into a joke after the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray backstabbed him in 2019. Later he was ridiculed by likes of Supriya Sule who said ‘Akela Devendra Kya Karega’ while underestimating him when he became the lea deader of opposition in 2019. From that point to the triumphant return today underscores his resilience and political savvy.


Also, even after he managed to form the Mahayuti government in 2022, the alliance put up a very poor show in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Fadnavis took the whole responsibility on his shoulders and said we shall go to people and win their faith. He proved his words in a span of just five months and underlined his mantle once again.


In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, Fadnavis faced a significant political blow when the Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, broke away from the pre-poll alliance with the BJP. This led to the formation of MVA government, comprising the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Congress, sidelining Fadnavis and the BJP. Despite this setback, Fadnavis remained a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, serving as the Deputy Chief Minister in the subsequent BJP-led government formed after the split within the Shiv Sena.


Fadnavis's comeback in the 2024 elections can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, his ability to maintain a strong connection with the grassroots and his constituency in Nagpur played a crucial role. His consistent engagement with the electorate, addressing local issues, and ensuring development projects kept him in good stead with the voters.


Secondly, Fadnavis's strategic alliances were pivotal. The BJP's coalition with the Shiv Sena and the NCP under the Mahayuti alliance proved to be a masterstroke. This alliance not only consolidated the pro-incumbency vote but also expanded the BJP's reach across different voter bases. The alliance could do this because Fadnavis instilled the concept of collective leadership within the party as well as the government. This helped the Mahayuti alliance to come forth as a united force.


The increased voter turnout in the 2024 elections was another significant factor. Fadnavis attributed this to the pro-incumbency sentiment and the impact of welfare schemes like the Ladki Bahin scheme, which aimed at empowering women and garnered substantial support from female voters. The higher voter turnout was seen as a positive indicator of public support for the BJP-led alliance.


Fadnavis's leadership style also contributed to his resurgence. Known for his articulate and pragmatic approach, he effectively communicated the achievements of the BJP-led government and countered the opposition's narrative. His ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Maharashtra, marked by factionalism and shifting alliances, showcased his political dexterity.


The election results reflected Fadnavis's successful strategy. The Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory, winning a significant number of seats and surpassing the majority mark in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. This victory not only reinstated Fadnavis as a key political player but also positioned him as a potential candidate for the Chief Minister's post.

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