GADCHIROLI, May 16 : In a major breakthrough against Left Wing Extremism, police have declared Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district “Naxal-free” following the arrest of eight Naxals, including all six armed cadres active in the district as per official records, and the surrender of five others from neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The operation, codenamed ‘Antim Prahar’ (Final Strike), was led by Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police M Ramesh and jointly executed by the district police’s Special Campaign Squad and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the border areas adjoining Telangana and Chhattisgarh.
Police said four armed Naxals were arrested from Telangana, while four others were apprehended from Kumnaar and Naitala villages near the Chhattisgarh border, taking the total number of arrests to eight.
The arrested cadres have been identified as Raju alias Mangdu Weko, Jani alias Nagi Yemla, Jayaram Gawde, Mukesh alias Lachhu Awalam, Vijay alias Mangdu Tamo, Rajita alias Shambatti Madavi, Jyoti alias Samita Potavi and Aamti alias Aayti Idma Podiyam.
Of them, Jayaram Gawde, a resident of Etapalli in Gadchiroli, is the only local resident, while the remaining accused belong to Chhattisgarh.
Addressing a press conference, SP Ramesh said that after March 31, only six armed members of Company No. 10 remained active in Gadchiroli district.
One cadre, Moni Madavi, had surrendered in Chhattisgarh, while the remaining five were arrested during the latest operation.
“With this, no armed Naxal is currently active in Gadchiroli district,” he said, adding that the arrested Naxals carried a combined reward of Rs 64 lakh.
Meanwhile, five Naxals also surrendered before the police during the operation. They were identified as Madhu alias Rakesh Welada, Jeevan alias Jaggu Madkam, Rajni alias Durga Dhurwa, Mangli Kursam and Laxmi Punem.
Police said rewards worth Rs 38 lakh had been declared on the surrendered cadres.
During the operation, police also seized a cache of arms and cash allegedly hidden for sabotage activities. The recovered items included Rs 65.34 lakh in cash and 51 firearms, comprising two light machine guns (LMGs), four AK-47 rifles, four SLR rifles and three INSAS rifles, among others.
Officials termed the development a significant blow to Naxal activities in the region, long considered one of the most affected districts by Maoist insurgency in Maharashtra.
(UNI)
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