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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.

Pawar plays mediator, tension in MVA recedes

The Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) were at loggerheads over 12 seats in Vidarbha and Nashik


Pawar plays mediator, tension in MVA recedes

Mumbai: After much hue and cry throughout the Sunday, the conflict between the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies over seat sharing was sorted out when NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar swung in the action to mediate. Pawar gave earful to Congress as well as Shiv Sena (BBT) leaders virtually forcing them to sit on a table. A joint press conference is likely to take place on Monday to announce the seat sharing of three parties.


After Saturday’s nine-hour-long marathon meeting at Trident Hotel, the MVA leaders were far ahead from the consensus even on Sunday. The bone of contention was crucial seats in the Vidarbha region. The standoff has intensified, with leaders of the Thackeray faction reportedly approaching the Congress high command in Delhi. The Thackeray faction has called for an emergency meeting at Matoshree, where party chief Uddhav Thackeray discussed the course of action in length.


At the heart of the disagreement was the allocation of crucial seats in regions such as Vidarbha, Mumbai and Nashik. One of the key flashpoints is Nashik West, where the Thackeray faction has been pushing for Sudhakar Badgujar’s candidacy. However, the Congress remains adamant on fielding its candidate. The situation escalated during the late-night meeting, as Congress leader Nana Patole’s insistence on Nashik West reportedly led to a walkout by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.


Vidarbha has emerged as another significant battleground during the seat-sharing talks. The Thackeray faction has staked claim on 12 key seats, including prominent constituencies such as Armori, Chimur and Ramtek. These are currently held by either the BJP or independent candidates, and the Thackeray faction argues that as these seats are not currently held by MVA incumbents, our claim is justified. However, the Congress has been unwilling to concede several of these seats.


According to sources, both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders directly approached NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar to mediate and resolve the differences in the opposition alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Anil Parab and Aaditya Thackeray met Pawar at Y.B. Chavan Centre. Senior Congress leaders in Delhi were also in constant touch with Pawar.


Finally, Pawar swung into action and summoned leaders of both Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) and scolded them. He made them aware of the consequences of the possible split. Sena pleaded that during the Lok Sabha election, their party gave its Ramtek and Amravati seats to the Congress. The party now wants more seats in the Assembly polls as part of the MVA alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) has claimed a total of 12 seats in the Vidarbha region. The party is arguing that there are no existing MLAs from MVA on these 12 seats. Congress leaders vociferously opposed this demand.

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