3 hardcore Naxals arrested in G’roli

Gadchiroli Correspondent

In two separate operations, as many as three hardcore Maoists were arrested by the police in the past two days. Their names are Saraju alias Chotu Mahaka (28), Madhu alias Anu Maharu Kumoti (23), both native of village Halwer in Bhamragad taluka of Gadchiroli district, and Ashok Lala Talandi (30), resident of Pasewada in Kudaru taluka of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh. Based on the intelligence input received from the reliable source, an anti-Naxal operation was conducted in the jurisdiction of AOP Tadgaon by C-60 squad of the Gadchiroli Police. During the search operation, they arrested the two Maoists Sarju and Madhu in connection with crime registered at Police Station Bhamaragad, which involved Sections 435, 395, 143, 148, 149, 120 (B), 341, 506, 407 of IPC, Sections 5/28 Indian Arms Act 1959 and Section 135 of MPA.

The court has granted 3-days PCR to the Naxals in this offence. On February 28, 2023, Maoists had burnt the mixer and JCB of a contractor working at the bridge near Visamundi. Saraju was recruited as a member with Gatta LOS in 2010 and worked until 2018. He was involved in Rengewahi, Nargunda, Kunjemarka, Mardahur encounters and murder of two innocent people. Maoist Madhu was recruited as a member with Bhamragad LOS in 2015 and worked until 2017. He was involved in Muttemkuhi, Daraba, Kundum encounter and murder of two innocent persons. Along with this on September 9, 2023, based on the intelligence input received from the reliable source, Maoist named Ashok Lala Talandi, who was hiding in the forest area of Kiyar under the jurisdiction of AOP Nargunda under Sub division Bhamragad, was also arrested by the police.

On the basis of the input, an anti-Naxal operation was launched by Nargunda post party, 37 Bn CRPF and C-60 Gadchiroli. During this search operation, Ashok was arrested. Maoist Ashok was recruited as a member of Sandra LOS in 2017 and since last 2 years, he has been working directly and indirectly in the Maoist movement from home. He was also involved in the Kedmara encounter, where 3 Maoists were successfully neutralised by Gadchiroli Police. He is arrested for the case registered at PS Bhamragad. He was involved in the blasting of a landmine on Gortul to Badakokker road and Cherpalli to Edapalli in 2018 and also murder of one innocent person. The Government of Maharashtra had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for each of the arrested Maoists. Due to the intensified operations conducted by Gadchiroli Police, a total of 70 hardcore Maoists have been arrested from January 2022. This action was undertaken under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Neelotpal, Addl SP (Ops) Anuj Tare, Addl SP (Admin) Kumar Chintha, and Addl SP Aheri, Yatish Deshmukh and SDPO Nitin Ganapure. SP Neelotpal has appealed to the active Maoists cadres to renounce path of violence and surrender in order to live their lives with dignity.