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,...

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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.

Crossing The Khalubar Ridge: A Humbling Recollection

Each one of us knew instantly, every time a martyr passed us, that it could have been any one of us instead.

It was early July 1999. In the harsh mountains of Ladakh, the Indian Army had already fought many battles to evict enemy intrusions across the Line of Control. After initial setbacks due to underestimating the enemy’s preparedness for a prolonged campaign, our units were making steady progress, securing one ridge at a time and pushing the enemy back toward the LC.

One notable ridgeline in the Batalik Sub-Sector was the Khalubar Ridge. In early July 1999, the 70 Infantry Brigade successfully dislodged the enemy from this well-fortified position, but it came at great cost, claiming the lives of many brave officers and soldiers from 1/11 GR, 12 JAK LI, and 22 Grenadiers.

With the Tricolour fluttering atop Khalubar, some units were tasked to cross Khalubar Ridge and push towards Munthodhalo to reclaim the LC. My Assault Team was one such unit. We were to cross the Ridge where 22 Grenadiers had fought valiantly over the past days. This battalion had a unique composition: a Muslim company, an Aheer company, a Meena company, and a Jat company. Coincidentally, it was the Muslim Company (Charlie Company) that faced the fiercest combat atop Khalubar. The enemy resisted stubbornly, counterattacking multiple times after Charlie Company’s initial success under Major (later Brigadier) Ajit Singh. Major Ajit and his men held their ground for three days and nights. Many soldiers of 22 Grenadiers made the supreme sacrifice, most from Charlie Company.

A section of 22 Grenadiers Battalion Headquarters was to guide our column for two reasons: to prevent “Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF)” issues amid the night’s fog and chaos and to provide logistical support—replenishing battle-fatigued soldiers and sending fresh troops to evacuate their martyred and injured comrades.

We started immediately after last light from the base of Khalubar Ridge. The aim was to cross the entire mountain feature in hours of darkness, reach Munthodhalo bowl before first light, and take harbour. Our column could achieve this as planned after a hard and serious night-long march over the boulder-ridden terrain with steep gradients. This July night is still vivid in my memory, not because of the physicality of this march but because of what we experienced en route and how it left unforgettable impressions on our minds regarding soldiering, camaraderie, and the uncertainties of life.

As we ascended, 22 Grenadiers’ martyrs were being evacuated, one after another, wrapped in sleeping bags and carried on comrades’ shoulders. The battle had drained the unit—every jawan was fatigued and short of sleep, food, and rest. Darkness, boulders, and steep gradients made the task gruelling. Four men carried each body, already stiff with rigour mortis, rotating every 75–100 metres. Eight men were assigned per martyr, and for hours they slowly descended, giving their brothers an honourable farewell.

Meenas carried a Muslim, Muslims shouldered an Ahir, Ahirs evacuated a Jat, and Jats evacuated a Muslim. Caste, creed, or religion made little difference amongst this Band of Brothers.

Every time a martyr passed through our ascending column, we saluted in unison. No command was required. It came naturally to us. None of us knew any of them since we were from different units. But each one of us knew instantly, every time a martyr passed us, that it could have been any one of us instead. We counted a total of ten fallen heroes that night, being carefully carried by their brethren towards the base. And we saluted each one of them. They had fought their last battle and fought it damn well; meanwhile, we were inducting another Ridgeline to fight our battles.

In the next three weeks, we fought our battles alright. The physical ones against the adversary, as also the battles of our minds. The adversary was evicted beyond the LC watershed through multiple successful attacks by the Formation before the end of July. Most of us lived to tell our tales, but some did not. And while fighting these battles, we drew inspiration from those who had fought before us and those who were being carried on the shoulders of their comrades that night for one last journey before an honourable burial or cremation. The ones we had saluted on the Khalubar Ridge.

The poignant memories of that night still humble me. The camaraderie and esprit de corps our officers and soldiers display are priceless and something to be very proud of. The glory and success of the Indian Army are built on such strong foundations of brotherhood and regimentation that the Army shall continue to make the country proud, both in peace and war.

(The writer is an Indian Army veteran and Vice President CRM, ANSEC HR services Ltd. He is a skydiver and a specialist in Security and Risk management. Views personal.)