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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.

Overdue Praise

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

In a city that never sleeps, with a population of over 20 million, the Mumbai police face a Sisyphean task. Yet, during the recent Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, they once again demonstrated their remarkable ability to balance order with tradition, ensuring a peaceful end to one of the country’s most widely celebrated festivals.

Ganesh Chaturthi is not merely a religious festival but also a logistical nightmare. Millions of devotees flood the streets, throwing traffic off-kilter as massive idols are paraded through the city to the Arabian Sea. The city’s overstretched and underpaid police force must ensure public safety, regulate traffic and monitor the ever-present threat of terrorist activity in a metropolis that has seen its fair share of attacks. Yet, year after year, the festival concludes with minimal incident. This year was no different, with 24,000 thousand personnel deployed to oversee the Visarjan.

What makes the police’s performance even more impressive is the scale of their operation despite being hamstrung by a woefully inadequate force of barely 50,000 police officers. Not just festivals, but Mumbai’s police have to cope with increasing crime and social unrest. In comparison, New York City, with a population of around 8 million, has over 36,000 officers. The ratio of police to citizens in Mumbai is a stark reminder of how little the force has to work with.

Despite this, the Mumbai police regularly pull off large-scale operations. The coordination required is staggering. But while they toil behind the scenes, they are often lambasted in public discourse as corrupt and incompetent.

The vast majority of officers work tirelessly in harsh conditions often without proper breaks, working in congested areas where pollution and stress are constant companions. In 2022, the Maharashtra government recorded over 1,000 cases of illness and mental health problems among police officers, a reflection of the strain under which they operate.

Moreover, the public’s lack of faith in the police is partly fuelled by media portrayals. Bollywood films routinely depict police officers as either incompetent or corrupt, reinforcing negative stereotypes. In reality, many Mumbai police officers exhibit remarkable professionalism, particularly in high-pressure situations. The handling of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks showcased the bravery of the police force in responding to an unprecedented crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mumbai’s police were lauded for their efforts in enforcing lockdowns and distributing food. The challenges faced by the Mumbai police are manifold. They contend with a demoralising lack of resources — lack of patrol cars, decrepit station infrastructure and outdated crime-fighting technology. But despite this, the police have shown incredible adaptability.

It is time to recognise that for every negative headline, there are untold stories of dedication and quiet professionalism. Rather than vilify them, we must understand the conditions they work under and the enormity of their task. If Mumbai is to continue as India’s financial capital and cultural heart, its police force will need more than just our thanks — they will need the resources, reform, and respect they so rightly deserve.

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