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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.

Dream coming true for Sarfaraz, long way to go

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Dream coming true for Sarfaraz, long way to go

Sarfaraz Khan will celebrate his 27th birthday October 22. He has given himself and his Abbu a gift in advance by scoring his maiden Test ton on the hallowed turf of KSCAs Chinnaswamyu Stadium, Bengaluru.

Sarfaraz a school cricket prodigy from Mumbai has fulfilled dream of scoring a Test Century that too a big one of 150.


Sarfaraz Khan, Pruthvi Shaw and Aarmaan Jaffer (nephew of Test star Wasim Jaffer ) were rated very highly from their schooldays. The days of Harris and Giles Shield Cricket Tournament. Local as well as national newspapers were always carrying their news with photo on the sports pages. Sarfaraz Khan was lucky enough to play in two world cups (2014 and 2019).


Pruthvi Shaw got selected to play for Mumbai as well as India. Not only that he scored a century for India on his Test debut whereas Sarfraz had to wait for pretty long time to make his India debut.


Sarfaraz’s career has many ups and downs. He faced disciplinary action from Mumbai Cricket Association from his junior age group level cricket days. He got an IPL contract at young age. RCB picked him up and he showed promise by hitting 45 off just 21 balls against Rajasthan Royals but he flattered to deceive.


He was retained by RCB who had big Super Stars like Virat Kohli, AB Devilliers, Chris Gayle. Then his career took a jolt. He left Mumbai and went to play for UP which was a turning point in his career. After two futile years in UP Sarfaraz’s father Naushad Khan thought it was enough and he returned to Mumbai.


Coming back to Mumbai was a key moment in Sarfaraz’s Career. He scored heavily for Mumbai crossing 900 + mark twice in a row and it ultimately paved the way for his India debut after a long wait.


Sarfaraz made his Test debut against England at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. Former India Skipper Anil Kumble handed him India Cap and Sarfaraz played breezy knock of 62 and won the hearts of his many supporters.


Naushad was happy to see his son earning India Cap and scoring brilliant breezy knock. He played three Tests against England earlier this year. Now, against New Zealand Sarfaraz fulfilled his earlier promise of scoring a century at his favourite ground of his first IPL teams.


Sarfaraz has potential to score runs not only in domestic cricket but at an international level too. He showed his class in Bengaluru. His cover driven four had the stamp of authority. On damp Chinnaswamy outfield Sarfaraz has made imprint. With the Down Under trip round the corner the cricket loving fraternity expecting runs by tons in International Cricket.

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