Chhattisgarh’s most-wanted Maoist commander Hidma ‘injured’ in encounter

Hidma is accused of planning and executing a string of attacks on security forces in the past decade that have caused at least 200 casualties – including an ambush in April that killed 25 paramilitary personnel.

Updated on: Jun 26, 2017, 14:36:22 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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One of India’s most-wanted Maoist comamnders, Madvi Hidma, was likely hit by a bullet during an encounter between the insurgents and security forces in Chhattisgarh’s south Sukma district, police said on Monday.

Madvi Hidma has a bounty of Rs 1 crore on him. (HT Photo)

A senior officer told HT that sources had told the police that Hidma was injured during a 36-hour encounter in the forests of Chhattisgarh that began on Saturday. Hidma is accused of planning and executing a string of attacks on security forces in the past decade that have caused at least 200 casualties – including an ambush in April that killed 25 paramilitary personnel.

“Our sources in the jungles of South Sukma told us that Hidma sustained bullet injuries but we are verifying the information. It could be possible that Hidma was hit because the encounter continued for more than 36 hours and we believe around 20 Maoists were killed,” said the officer, who was monitoring the encounter in South Sukma.

Another police officer posted in Sukma said this was the first time the security forces entered an area dominated by Hidma. “We believe that Maoists suffered huge loss in this encounter. I have also heard that Hidma sustained injuries but it could be a rumour and we are verifying it.”

On Friday and Saturday, a joint team, comprising personnel from STF, District Reserve Guard (DRG) and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), carried out anti-Maoist operation in the Chintagufa area, around 500 km from Raipur. Chintagufa is said to be the “capital of Maoists” in Bastar. The thickly forested area is considered a stronghold of the left extremist group that is fighting a decades-long bloody insurgency and has established parallel administrative set-ups in places with little government presence.

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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