Maoist carrying ₹5 lakh reward killed in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district

According to Superintendent of Police (Dantewada), Abhishek Pallava, the encounter took place during an anti-Maoist exercise in Pordem forest around 12.30 pm, when a team of the District Reserve Group (DRG) came under fire from the rebels and had to retaliate.

Published on: Jun 28, 2021, 05:32:40 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Hindustan Times, Raipur

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A Maoist, carrying a cash reward of ₹5 lakh and wanted in connection with nearly 25 criminal cases, was gunned down during an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Sunday, police said.

According to Superintendent of Police (Dantewada), Abhishek Pallava, the encounter took place during an anti-Maoist exercise in Pordem forest around 12.30 pm, when a team of the District Reserve Group (DRG) came under fire from the rebels and had to retaliate.

“The firing lasted for about 25 minutes after which the Maoists fled the spot, taking cover of the thick vegetation in a forest, located around 400 km from Raipur,” he added.

During a search of the area, the security personnel recovered the body of a Maoist, later identified as Santosh Markam, a member of the Malangir Area Committee of CPI (Maoist) , said the SP, adding that a pistol and some daily use items have also been recovered from his possession. “He was carrying a cash reward of ₹5 lakh on his head, and has around 25 criminal cases registered against him,” the SP added.

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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