Chhattisgarh: 2 Maoists carrying ₹11 lakh reward killed in encounter in Sukma

A team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) following specific inputs of Maoists presence in the village

Updated on: May 8, 2023, 14:32:35 IST

By S Kareemuddin, Ritesh Mishra

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Two Maoists, including a woman, were killed in a gunfight in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Monday, police said, adding that they recovered explosives and a rifle from the encounter site.

Police have identified the Maoists as Golapalli Local Organisation Squad (LOS) commander Erra and woman cadre Podiyam Bhime, deputy commander of the same squad. According to officials, they collectively carried a reward of ₹11 lakh on their heads.

According to a press statement released by Bastar police on Monday, the encounter took place around 5.30am in a forest near Danteshpuram village under Bheji police station in South Sukma.

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A team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) following specific inputs of Maoists presence in the village, read the statement.

“We had specific inputs about the presence of LOS Naxal commander Madkam Erra in the area, and hence an operation was launched on Sunday night,” said inspector general of police (IGP), Bastar range, Sunderaj P.

He said that the teams reached the village around 5am on Monday.

The encounter started when security forces were cordoning off Danteshpuram forest, and Maoists opened fire at them, said the IG. “After the gunfight, we recovered the two bodies of Maoists,” he added.

“Erra and Bhime were carrying rewards of ₹8 lakh and ₹3 lakh respectively on their heads,” the IG said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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