In Chhattisgarh encounter, police kill Maoist named in 18 cases of violence

Bastar range IGP Sunderaj P said the Maoist killed in the encounter was a member of Maoists’ Katekalyan Area Committee

Updated on: Jun 30, 2022, 19:53:24 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR : A Maoist was killed in an encounter with Chhattisgarh police in Bastar’s Dantewada district on Thursday, police said. The Maoist, identified by the police as Denga Deva alias Mahangu Deva, was a member of Katekalyan Area Committee of CPI ( Maoist) and carried a reward of ₹5 lakh.

The Chhattisgarh Police said the encounter took place at around 2:30pm on Thursday when the district reserve guard was on an anti-Maoist operation. (HT File Photo/Representative Image)

Inspector general of police Sunderaj P said the encounter took place in a forest near Nedanar village of Dantewada at around 2:30pm.

“A team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) was out on an anti-Naxal operation when Maoists of Katekalyan Area Committee started firing. The police retaliated and when the encounter ended, a body of Maoist was recovered from the encounter spot,” the Bastar range IG said.

“Prima facie the deceased has been identified as Denga Deva alias Mahangu, who is an area committee member of CPI (Maoist). He was carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh on his head,” the IG added.

Police said that more than a dozen cases of Maoist violence were registered against

“Around 18 cases of Maoist violence were registered against Deva. He was a notorious cadre and was a resident of Mudenaar village under Darbha police station of Bastar district,” said Siddharth Tiwari, Dantewada’s superintendent of police 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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