Maoist commander killed in encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district

Police also seized a rifle and explosives from the site of encounter in a forest.

Published on: Dec 4, 2020, 17:50:25 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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A ‘platoon commander’ of Communist Party of India (Maoist ) was killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district in Bastar region on Friday, police said.

A joint team of district reserve guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) engaged a group of Maoists in a gunfight in a forest in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. (Representational image/HT PHOTO)

Police also seized a rifle and explosives from the site of encounter. In the last one week, two Maoist commanders have been killed by security forces in Bijapur district.

Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, Sunderaj P said that the encounter took place in the afternoon at around 1 pm, when a team of district reserve guard (DRG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were out for an anti-Maoist operation.

“We had information about a Maoist gathering hence a team was sent for operation. The encounter started when the team reached the jungles near Hakwa village. After the firing stopped, the body of a platoon commander of Gangaloor area committee of CPI (Maoist) was recovered. The other Maoists managed to escape in the jungle,” said the IG.

Sunderaj also said that the deceased commander was allegedly involved in the recent civilian killings in Gangaloor, Mirtur and Bhairamgarh areas of the district.

On November 26, security forces gunned down a Maoist commander Santosh Podiam, who was carrying a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head, and was allegedly involved in killing of policemen in Bijapur district.

Podiam was allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of assistant sub-inspector, Nagaiyya Korsa, in August and in the killing of Forest Ranger Rathram Patel in September in Kutru and Jangla police station areas.

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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