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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.

Badlapur schools undergo major safety overhaul

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Badlapur: It has been a year since the Akshay Shinde case shook Badlapur, raising alarming questions about the safety of schoolchildren. Shinde, who was arrested for the alleged sexual assault of two schoolgirls from a reputed local institution, died in a reported police encounter while being taken for questioning. The incident not only sparked outrage but also forced authorities to rethink child safety measures across schools.

 

In the aftermath, the Education Department and Badlapur Municipal Council rolled out strict security protocols for both government and private schools. The most crucial step has been making Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) mandatory for every teaching and non-teaching staff member. Schools that fail to comply are given just one week to complete verification, with municipal officials conducting surprise inspections to ensure enforcement.

 

Alongside staff verification, a strong emphasis has been placed on student safety awareness. Schools now hold workshops and in-class sessions teaching children how to remain alert, recognize unsafe situations, and seek timely help. Officials say the aim is to create an environment where students feel both safe and confident.

 

Currently, the initiative covers 101 private schools and 20 government schools in Badlapur. Parents have welcomed the move. “What happened last year cannot be forgotten, but at least we can see real action being taken to safeguard our children now,” said Poornima Desai, a parent.

 

Over the past year, the council has carried out inspections, launched awareness drives, and placed compliance with safety rules at the top of its agenda. Authorities believe that combining strict staff verification with empowering students will prevent similar tragedies in the future.

 

Sharing details with The Perfect Voice, Badlapur municipal Council Education Department Chief Jitendra Gomase revealed the scale of new surveillance measures

 

This brings the total number of CCTV cameras installed across schools in Badlapur to 2,374 a significant leap aimed at ensuring round-the-clock monitoring.

 

The Akshay Shinde case may have left a scar on the city, but officials stress that the lessons learned are driving long-term reforms in child safety.

 

Classrooms - 1,233 CCTV cameras

School corridors - 512 CCTV cameras

School premises - 431 CCTV cameras

Outside student washrooms - 242 CCTV cameras

 

 

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