Chhattisgarh Maoist involved in 25 cases and carrying award on his head killed

The dead Maoist was identified as Santosh Markam, a member of the Malangir Area Committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) group.

Published on: Jun 27, 2021, 16:40:06 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh Police said it gunned down a Maoist, who was involved in 25 criminal cases and carried a reward of ₹500,000 on his head, in an encounter in Dantewada district on Sunday.

Security personnel were still involved in a search operation in Pordem forest in Dantewada district. (PTI Photo/Representative use)

Dantewada superintendent of police (SP) Abhishek Pallava said the encounter took place in Pordem forest at around 12.30 pm when a team of the District Reserve Group (DRG), out for an anti-Maoist operation, was fired upon.

“The firing lasted for about 25 minutes after which the Maoist fled into the jungle. Later, during a search operation, we found the body of a Moaist and a pistol,” said the SP. Police said security forces were currently searching the jungle for the remaining Maoists.

The police officer said the body was later identified as that of Santosh Markam, a member of the Malangir Area Committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) group.

“He was carrying a cash reward of ₹500,000 on his head and was wanted in about 25 cases of Maoist violence,” said the SP.

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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