top of page

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.

Dynasty Descendants

Rebels, multi-cornered contests and dynasts – that’s the overriding theme of the Assembly elections that are coming up this month. Of the 4000 plus candidates in the fray, more than 20 are related to current and former politicians. No political party, despite making loaded statements about not supporting dynasties, is an exception to this trend.


Dynasts, it is believed, have ‘elective value’ with a ready support base, dedicated cadre, the goodwill the family may carry in the constituency and a familiar surname. Sons, daughters, nephews, nieces and in-laws are making their electoral debut in an election which is being fought more on allegations, accusations and changing loyalties than an ideology or development plans. If some offspring remain in the relative’s party, others are trying their luck in different parties with even siblings being split by political alliances.


PART - 2


ree

Sanjana Jadhav, Shiv Sena

Kannad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar will see Sanjana Jadhav, daughter of senior BJP leader and five-time-MP Raosaheb Danve take on her estranged husband Harshvardhan. A former member of the zilla parishad, she switched to the Shiv Sena and secured a nomination. She will contest against Harshvardhan, a two-term former MLA.



ree

Suhas Babar, Shiv Sena

His father Anil Babar, known for various social initiatives in his constituency, passed away a few months ago. The Shiv Sena nominated Suhas from the Khanapur-Aatpadi constituency, a drought-struck area of Sangli which his father has held for several terms.




ree

Salil Deshmukh, NCP (SP)

For the first time since 1995, Katol in Nagpur will see someone other than Anil Deshmukh contest the elections. But the candidate happens to be the former home minister’s son Salil whose political beginnings with the zilla parishad.






ree

Varun Sardesai, Shiv Sena (UBT)

He’s best known as Aditya Thackeray’s maternal cousin which makes him yet another member of Uddhav Thackeray’s family to jump into the electoral fray. A constant presence by his cousin’s side when Aditya was a minister in the MVA government, Varun has worked with the youth wing of the undivided Shiv Sena.





ree

Vilas Bhumre, Shiv Sena

Chairman of the family-controlled Renukadevi Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, his father Sandipan Bhumre is a Member of Parliament. Vilas is contesting the Paithan seat from Marathwada as a member of the Shiv Sena.






ree

Rahul Awade, BJP

His father Prakash Awade had been on a winning spree from Ichalkaranji since 1995 but lost in 2009 and 2014 to the BJP candidate. In 2019, he was re-elected as an Independent and now his son Rahul, a former member of the Ichalkaranji zilla parishad, is making his debut in the state assembly elections.






ree

Sreejaya Chavan, BJP

Months after her father, former chief minister Ashok Chavan, switched over to the BJP from the Congress, Sreejaya has been nominated from Bhokar in Nanded, a constituency her father has represented for several years. Sreejaya comes with an impressive legacy—grandfather Shankarrao Chavan was the Union home minister, mother Ameeta is former MLA.

Comments

bottom of page