Maoist leader carrying ₹40L bounty dies of Covid: Police

“Reliable sources have confirmed the death of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Member , Yapa Narayana alias Haribhushan, due to Covid-19 infection on June 21,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) , Bastar Range, Sundarraj P in a statement.

Updated on: Jun 24, 2021, 01:49:08 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Hindustan Times, Raipur

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A senior Maoist leader, 52-year-old Haribhushan, carrying a reward of ₹40 lakh on his head and a member of central committee of Communist Party of India (Maoist) died due to Covid-19 on June 21 in jungles of Bastar, said the Chhattisgarh police on Wednesday.

“Reliable sources have confirmed the death of CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Member , Yapa Narayana alias Haribhushan, due to Covid-19 infection on June 21,” said Inspector General of Police (IGP) , Bastar Range, Sundarraj P in a statement.

However, Maoists have not confirmed the death of their leader who also the secretary of the North Telangana State Special Zonal Committee of Communist Party of India ( Maoist)

He further said that Haribhusan was camping along Minaguram-Bhattigudam-Jabagatta jungles along South Bijapur-Sukma inter-district border of Bastar region during his illness. Haribhusan hailed from Medagudam village of Mehbubnagar in Telangana and carried a reward of over ₹40 lakhs on him.

Haribhusan familiar with his name as Lakmu Dada in Usur-Poojarikanker-Pamed area along Chhattisgarh-Telangana interstate border area was involved in more than 22 cases of Maoist violence in Chhattisgarh region, the IG said.

“Contrary to the claims of Maoist leaders, the Covid-19 situation in Maoist camps is very alarming. More than 16 senior and middle level Maoist cadres have died in the last couple of months due to Covid-19. Many more cadres are also infected and are desperate for treatment,” said the IG.

“Two senior Maoist leaders of Bastar Ganga and Sobhroi also died of Covid-19 infection during last couple of weeks only,” the IG said.

Over 16 senior and middle-rung cadres, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members Ganga and Sobhroi, have died due to the infection in the last couple of months, the IPS officer told PTI.

During last few days, Bastar police was continuously receiving information from certain quarters that few senior Maoist cadres including Telangana State Committee Secretary Haribhusan was seriously ill due to Covid-19, he 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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