2 Naxals involved in Mandavi’s killing gunned down
| Date :19-Apr-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau
DANTEWADA/RAIPUR,
IN a major blow to the Left Wing Extremists (LWEs), security forces on Thursday eliminated two dreaded Naxals, who were involved in the brutal killing of Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Legislative Assembly Bhima Mandavi along with four security personnel on April 9. Both the ultras were neutralised during heavy Exchange of Fire (EoF) between the security forces and outlaws in State’s insurgency-hit Dantewada district on Thursday early morning hours in a forested patch near village Daulikarka under Dantewada police station limits. Confirming the incident, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Anti Naxal Operation), Sundarraj P, informed that the slain Naxals have been identified as ACM Varghese alias Pandu Mandavi (Malangir Area Committee Maoist Student Wing in-charge) and Katekalyan Local Operating Squad (LOS) member Linga. One more Maoist cadre identified as Dasru has sustained bullet injuries in the encounter. He is under treatment, added the DIG.
During the post-encounter search, the security personnel also recovered one 315 bore rifle, one muzzle loading rifle along with some explosives and other Naxal materials besides the bodies of the slain rebels from the spot. Varghese was carrying cash reward of Rs 5 lakh. Based on specific input, a squad of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) had left for search operations towards Daulikarka. While security personnel were passing through a forested patch, they came under indiscriminate firing of Naxals. Upon this, the DRG personnel also launched a retaliatory attack, leading to a fierce gun-battle.
However, continuous firing by security personnel forced Naxals to escape deep into the forest. After the guns fell silent, the DRG personnel searched entire area and recovered bodies of two slain Maoists besides one 315 bore rifle, one muzzle loading rifle along with some explosives and other Naxal materials. According to police sources, Varghese had expertise in assembling and planting IEDs. He had been working for students’ wing of the banned outfit in the area.
Varghese and Linga were allegedly involved in the ambush in which MLA Mandavi and his four security personnel were killed on April 9. It may be recalled that the MLA’s convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area when the Naxalites blew up their vehicle with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and opened fire at the occupants. Search operations were under-way till last reports last came in.