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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.

Welfare of Ex-Servicemen

Updated: Nov 15, 2024

Welfare of Ex-Servicemen

The various issues of Ex-servicemen have been overlooked not only by the centre but even different state governments. The contentious issue of One Rank One Pension (OROP) was subsided after the Supreme Court’s intervention. The delay in paperwork had left thousands of ex-servicemen in limbo. Their woes are not only restricted to the pension but they have to cross a lot of hurdles for getting the jobs. Technically qualified, the men have retired from the armed forces, and are eligible for jobs in State government offices. But though they have cleared the various examinations including public service commission exams, they have not been offered placements. The reason, different departments have not found the time to iron out the issue regarding their qualifications.


As the issue of ex-servicemen keeps on coming to the fore, the state government has taken a decision to give some relief to their children. Education Concession to the Children of Ex-Servicemen, Maharashtra 2023-24 is an initiative of the state government’s Directorate of Higher Education, to provide financial aid to children of ex-servicemen pursuing higher education. The selected students will receive a 100 percent waiver of fees incurred on admission, semester exams, and library including the laboratory fees. The Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has approved a significant increase in funding for ex-servicemen welfare schemes, doubling the financial allocation to Rs33 crore to support nearly 2.7 lakh retired military personnel and their families across the state.


While taking this decision certain conditions have been laid down by the government. One of the prime conditions is that the applicants must be domiciled in Maharashtra. Among other conditions, the definition of relationship is described, the applicant must be a child, wife, or widow of an ex-serviceman. Applicants should be enrolled in a government or government-aided college within Maharashtra. As per the government’s order, the financial Support by the state is being underscored. The scholarship provides a significant financial relief by waiving all associated fees. With this the doors are open for higher education to all deserving students who may otherwise face financial barriers. Being awarded this scholarship is a recognition of academic merit and the sacrifices made by ex-servicemen and their families gets the recognition.


Apart from this the Maharashtra government has also decided that it will provide financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh to self-help groups (SHGs) run by ex-servicemen. The state government official said that this decision was taken in the recent meeting of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Board.


“Financial assistance for marriage of daughters of ex-servicemen has been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Assistance up to Rs 2 lakh will be given to ex-servicemen, their widows for purchasing houses. Children of ex-servicemen or their widows Will be given Rs 1 lakh for education abroad,’’ the official further added.

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