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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.

Shinde says he made the common man a superman

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

THE CM PRESENTS A ‘REPORT CARD’ OF HIS GOVERNMENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN LAST TWO AND HALF YEARS

common man

Mumbai: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has launched a scathing attack on the opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accusing them of having an anti-development vision. This bold claim comes ahead of the Assembly polls, where Shinde’s government is seeking re-election. 


Flanked by Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, as well as Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, Shinde presented a “report card” highlighting his government’s achievements over the past two years. The report card contrasts the work done by the current Mahayuti government with that of the previous MVA dispensation, showcasing the ruling alliance’s accomplishments


Shinde presented a united front with his Deputies at a joint press conference, a day after the Election Commission announced the state poll schedule. The Assembly polls are scheduled for November 20, with votes being counted on November 23. 


Fadnavis said the seat-sharing discussions among the ruling allies in Maharashtra, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and other parties, are nearing completion. The Mahayuti allies presented a “report card” of the government’s work in the last two years, as Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar accused the opposition of creating a “fake narrative”


The “report card” compared the work done by the previous MVA dispensation and the current Mahayuti government.


Shinde highlighted his government’s achievements over the past two years. The “report card” boasts of significant development projects, including the completion of the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad railway and the Metro project in Mumbai, which were allegedly stalled by the previous MVA government. Additionally, the Mahayuti government claims to have made substantial progress in boosting Maharashtra’s economy, aiming to make it a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047.


“The opposition MVA were working with an anti-development vision, claiming they halted crucial development projects during their tenure. Specifically, Shinde cited the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad railway (bullet train) project and the Metro project in Mumbai, which he said were stalled due to the previous MVA government’s opposition,” the CM said, accusing the opposition of defaming Maharashtra.


Without naming his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray or his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray, Shinde said the cost of Metro project in Mumbai rose by Rs 14,000 crore as Aarey car shed was opposed due to “bal hatta” (insistence of a child) and arrogance.


All development works, like the high speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad railway (bullet train) project, were stopped by the previous MVA government, he said.


On seat-sharing among the Mahayuti partners, Fadnavis said it (discussion) has reached the final stages, but added the formula cannot be revealed now. It will be revealed only after the talks are completed, he added.


Pawar, who is also the state finance minister, said the opposition was caught off guard by the overwhelming popularity of the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’, a flagship program launched by the Maharashtra government to provide financial assistance to women.” When the scheme was announced, the initial allocation for the scheme was Rs 10,000 crore, but it was raised to Rs 45,000 crore, he said.


Pawar said 2.5 crore eligible women have received Rs 7,500 each in five months since the scheme was launched.

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