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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.

NCP (SP) takes a gamble with young, new faces

Updated: Oct 30, 2024

FRESH FACES AND A LACK OF HEAVYWEIGHTS TO DECIDE FUTURE


NCP

Mumbai: As the election approaches, the NCP (SP) is taking a bold risk by introducing a slate of fresh, youthful candidates driven by a need for new leadership, caste considerations, and an absence of political heavyweights. This strategy signifies a significant departure from traditional candidate selection, illustrating the party’s commitment to evolving alongside its electorate.


One notable newcomer is Fahad Ahmad, actor Swara Bhaskar’s husband and an impassioned politician known for his stirring speeches during the anti-CAA protests. He is set to contest against Nawab Mallik’s daughter in the Muslim-dominated Anushakti Nagar constituency. Until a few days ago, Ahmad was a member of the Samajwadi Party. His induction and nomination has left some party workers perplexed. However, the NCP (SP) views this as a necessary gamble, particularly in a political landscape where many prominent figures have left the party.


A few hundred kilometers away, in Baramati, where most candidates privately concede defeat even before polling, the young Yugendra Pawar will make his political debut against his uncle and senior politician Ajit Pawar. In Mohol, the party has picked the 26-year-old Siddhi Kadam whose MLA father Ramesh Kadam was jailed in a case of financial corruption The selection of these candidates has raised eyebrows among observers and constituents alike, showcasing a blend of both risk and opportunity. “Politics is changing; you don’t need heavyweights to win elections. Our party had declared that we would give tickets to new faces because we want to grow and cultivate new talent. These young faces are a reflection of our society and what people want—these candidates are young, dynamic and agile,” says Anish Gawande, national spokesperson of the NCP(SP).


The NCP (SP) also has its sights set on Tasgaon Kavthe Mahankal, where Rohit Patil, son of the late former home minister R R Patil, stands as a promising candidate, buoyed by his father’s legacy and grassroots involvement.


With 21 per cent of voters under the age of 30, the party’s shift towards youthful representation could prove to be a winning strategy in the coming election.

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