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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.

Kiwis Setting Trend

Kiwis Setting Trend

Tom Latham followed in the footsteps of Graham Dowling and John Wright, the two successful New Zealand Skippers to win a Test Match on Indian Soil. What is unique about Latham’s team victory is they have made a winning start in the series in the nearly seven decades test battle between the two teams. Dowling and Wright won the tests after losing the opening test of the series.


With Tim Southee giving up test captaincy after a whitewash (2-0) on Emerald Islands tour Tom Latham was forced to take over the reins of teams as Ken Williamson is still indisposed. He is likely to join the Kiwi squad just before the Pune test match to be played from October 24. This young and talented bunch of Kiwis performed exceptionally well and jolted Rohit Sharma’s team by bundling them out for paltry 46 runs on day one in the pre-lunch session in mere 31.2 overs.


It is the new low for Indian cricket team on home turf. (Lowest total in Asia). What a fall for Australia bound Indian team! It was the folly of skipper Rohit Sharma who after winning the toss decided to bat first and within no time the Big Brothers collapsed like house of cards. Five out of top seven batters failed to open their accounts.


Opener Yashsvi Jaiswal and wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, both southpaws, entered the double figures (13 and 20 respectively). Others just caved in front of accurate seam, swing bowling of Matt Henry and UK born tall gangling speedster William O’Rourke. They exploited conditions and variance in weather conditions at Bengaluru (more like Birmingham ) after veteran Tim Southee castled Indian opener Rohit Sharma. It was beauty of a delivery with Rohit beaten all ends up.


Then it was a mere roll call for over rated Indian batting line up. Matt Henry who completed the century of wickets in tests was delighted at the atmosphere on Day 2 of the series opener after entire first day’s play was washed out.


Kiwi pacers never expected these conditions in India. They got assistance from weather conditions. Henry’s figures of 13.2-3-15-5 may look flattering on paper but Indian stalwarts had to face the music and Kiwis being talented bunch of fielders Indians had their cup full of woes.


Nothing went right for Rohit’s team after a false start or meek surrender and Kiwi batters Devon Conway (91) the Indian origin Wellington born tall curly topper Rachin Ravindra smashing red cherry to all corners of Chinnaswamy Stadium. The cricket crazy crowd was silently applauding the Kannada boy’s shots in silence. Rachin scored a century at home away. His father being a Banglorian went to Maori land but the generation next lad making hay at KSCA Chinnaswamy stadium his ‘Home Turf.


After conceding lead of 356 runs top five batters played well specially two young turks, Sarfaraz Khan and Southpaw Rishabh Pant. Sarfaraz scored his maiden test ton in his 6th test innings. He scored 150 runs with three sixers and 18 fours. Rishabh missed his ton by a solitary run. Second New ball brought swift end to India innings.


Kiwis requiring 107 runs for victory achieved the target with loss of two wickets Captain Latham failed to open his account as Bhumrah removed him quickly. Conway was consumed by Bhumrah but star player Rachin Ravindra reaped rich reward by remaining unbeaten to mark Kiwis’ victory by eight wickets and giving his team 1-0 lead in the test series for the first time ever.


Is this the trend of shape of things to come. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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