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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.

Cement demand to grow 6-7.5% in FY26 amid recovery in infrastructure and housing: Report


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New Delhi: The Indian cement industry is likely to see a demand growth of 6 to 7.5 per cent in the current financial year (FY26), according to a report by Systematix Research.



The report highlighted that with consolidation-led discipline taking hold and strong momentum in infrastructure and housing sectors, the industry is entering a more stable and profitable phase.



It said, "With consolidation-led discipline settling in and momentum building in infrastructure and housing, industry demand is expected to grow by 6-7.5 per cent in FY26".



The report noted that the sector exited FY25 on a stronger footing. The last quarter of the previous financial year saw a visible recovery in both demand and pricing after a slow first half. Increased government capital expenditure towards the end of FY25 helped revive construction activity in major markets.



The report said "Cement volume for companies under our coverage grew by 11 per cent after a slow H1 due to an upswing in commercial activity and a ramp-up in government execution. In FY25, the cement industry ended with a capacity of about 655 MTPA (+4.8 per cent YoY).



This also supported price hikes, which were partially absorbed in regions like the East and North.



In May 2025, the report added that the cement companies attempted price hikes across different regions, ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per bag.



However, due to weak demand in several areas, the absorption of these hikes remained limited. Regional factors such as early monsoons and heat waves played a key role in affecting demand.



In the East, demand dropped sharply due to early monsoons, but prices still rose by Rs 46 per bag. The South faced flat demand conditions as heat waves impacted construction activities.



As a result, price hikes in the region are expected to be postponed to the second quarter of FY26, since the fourth quarter remained muted.



Meanwhile, the report mentioned that central India recorded a modest hike of Rs 2 per bag, and Northern markets saw better traction, with prices increasing by Rs 20-30 per bag.



Despite these regional challenges, the average cement price across India rose 1.6 per cent month-on-month in May 2025, reaching Rs 367 per bag.



The industry also benefited from a favourable cost environment and improving capacity utilisation, further supporting a positive outlook for FY26.

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