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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.

Pappu Yadav Calls for Ban on Bajrang Dal and VHP, Labels Them as ‘Hooligans’

Updated: Mar 20

Lok Sabha MP criticizes the groups for alleged violence in Nagpur, claims they are harming the country’s progress under government protection


Pappu Yadav

Nagpur: Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav has demanded a ban on Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), accusing their members of instigating violence in Nagpur. He described them as "hooligans" and claimed that their actions are disrupting the nation's social harmony and economic growth.

"Bajrang Dal and VHP members are hooligans and should be banned. They have government protection, and their activities are negatively impacting the country’s economy and development. This issue needs serious attention," Yadav stated.


Addressing JD(U) leader Sanjeev Kumar's suggestion for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to adopt the 'Yogi model' of governance, Yadav dismissed the idea.


"There is no such thing as a 'Yogi model.' A criminal remains a criminal, regardless of caste or religion. Bihar has always led the way, not followed others," he asserted.


Meanwhile, Nagpur remains under curfew for the second consecutive day across ten police station limits after violent clashes erupted on March 17.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with the Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act, and Prevention of Public Property Damage Act at Ganeshpeth Police Station.


According to the FIR filed by Inspector Jitendra Baburao Gadge, 51 individuals, including several minors from areas like Jafar Nagar, Tajbagh, Mominpura, and Bhalaadapura, have been named as accused.


"The protest escalated when the crowd began pelting stones and hurling petrol bombs at police officers. Armed with axes and iron rods, they ignored repeated warnings to disperse and continued violent attacks, endangering both police personnel and civilians," the FIR states.


Maharashtra Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has strongly condemned the violence, emphasizing that stern action will be taken against those who assaulted senior police officials.


To maintain law and order, authorities have restricted movement in affected areas, warning that violations of the curfew will be punishable under Section 223 of the BNS.

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