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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.

Jarange moots ‘CMP’ among Marathas, Dalits, Muslims

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Mumbai: The Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil has thrown his hat in to the ring and has swung into action for an experiment of social engineering. On Thursday several Dalit and Muslim leaders met Jarange in Antarwali Sarati in Jalna district and announced their commitment to formulate a “common minimum programme” for the November 20 Assembly polls.


The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati successfully executed the social engineering in Uttar Pradesh and managed to get the power defeating both BJP and Samajwadi Party.

She had ruled the state during 2007-2012 with the support of Brahmins. She had then sought to project the BSP as a party of “Sarvjans (all people)” rather than just of “Bahujans (deprived sections)”. Her social engineering then involved the support of the Brahmin community coupled with her core support base in the form of SC voters.


Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani, Dalit leaders Rajratna and Anandraj Ambedkar were present at the gathering. During the meeting it was unanimously decided to create a united front for the Maharashtra assembly elections. They have also decided a ‘common minimum programme’ to challenge established power and prevent divisions within their communities.


Speaking at a gathering, Jarange emphasized the importance of solidarity among Dalit, Muslim, and Maratha communities to dismantle entrenched power dynamics. He urged supporters to back candidates supportive of this united cause.


Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani criticized the BJP for its divisive politics and highlighted the necessity of maintaining a unified front to prevent vote splitting. Dalit leaders Rajratna and Anandraj Ambedkar echoed these sentiments, stressing that their collective efforts serve as an example for the entire country.


This significant political development raised many eyebrows in the corridors of power. So far no party has reacted to this development but most of them have kept a close eye on it. On November 3, Jarange is all set to announce the names of some of the candidates.


Will this experiment succeed is still unclear however, Jarange has once again forced all the parties to take his cognisance.

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