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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.

The Significant Royal

ree

The MVA faced probably the biggest embarrassment in Kolhapur when the official candidate of the opposition alliance Madhurima Raje withdrew her nomination from the assembly election and the grand alliance that is confident of coming to power in the state had to support an independent candidate in the constituency. However, the developments that followed it have placed a question mark over the sitting Congress MP – Chhatrapati Shahu Raje – as to whether he is merely a pawn for his political party even though he is being revered among the people as the King.


Shahu Maharaj, also known as Shahu II of Kolhapur, is current Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Kolhapur constituency. Born on January 7, 1948, he is a descendant of the illustrious Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the great-grandson of the great social reformer Shahu I of Kolhapur.


Shahu Maharaj’s early education was at the prestigious Bishop Cotton School in Bangalore, followed by higher studies at Indore Christian College, where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in History, Economics, and English Literature. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors in public service and leadership.


In 1962, Shahu Maharaj was ceremonially crowned as the Maharaja of Kolhapur, a title he holds with great respect and responsibility. Despite the abolition of royal titles and privy purses by the Indian government, he continues to be a revered figure in the Maratha community and beyond.


He is affiliated with the Indian National Congress (INC) and has been actively involved in various political initiatives. His first significant foray into politics was in 1998, although it was not until 2024 that he successfully won the Lok Sabha seat from Kolhapur. His victory was a significant milestone, as it marked the return of a Congress MP to Kolhapur after 25 years.


His personal life is equally distinguished. He is married to Yadnaseniraje, and the couple has two sons, Sambhaji Raje and Maloji Raje, both of whom are also involved in public service. His family continues to uphold the values and traditions of their royal lineage while contributing to the welfare of society.


However, when it came to deciding the candidate for the assembly, it appears as if other local leaders of the Congress and Mahayuti undermined Shahu Maharaj. This left the king very disturbed and even threatened to resign as the party MP. The open outburst of political leaders in favour of and against Shahu Maharaj has exposed the claims of the Congress that it offered him the post of MP just to honour the royal family.


However, this is not the first time that the royal family has been insulted like this due to its involvement in the politics.

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