Fourteen Maoists, including a key leader, were killed in two separate encounters with the District Reserve Guard (DRG) on Saturday morning in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma and Bijapur districts. These encounters, the first between the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and security forces this year, occurred hours before a key Maoist commander surrendered in Telangana.
Significant Losses for Maoist Groups
Twelve of the fourteen Maoists were killed in southern Sukma, while two were killed in Bijapur, where the initial encounter began around 5 am. Among those killed in Sukma was Vetti Mangdu alias Mukka, secretary of the Konta area committee and a Divisional Committee member (DVCM). Mukka was reportedly responsible for the improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Konta that killed Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Giripunje in June of last year.
Security forces view these encounters, along with the subsequent surrender of Barsa Deva, as a major breakthrough in their anti-insurgency efforts. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, stated that DRG teams were dispatched to the South Bastar area as part of the operation, resulting in intermittent encounters beginning around 5 am in Bijapur and 8 am in Sukma.
Automatic weapons, including AK-47s, INSAS, and SLR rifles, were recovered from the encounter sites. According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chawan, all armed Maoists of the Konta area committee were killed.
Strategic Importance of the Konta Area
The Konta area committee, along with the Kistaram area committee in Sukma, held a dominant position within Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), the most powerful armed wing of the banned outfit. The area served as a breeding ground for top Maoist leaders, including Ramanna, Hidma, and Barsa Deva, and was a key transit point to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Hours after the encounters, Barsa Deva, who carried a bounty of Rs 50 lakh, surrendered to Telangana Police along with at least 48 other Maoist cadres. Deva, also known as Barsa Sukka and Devanna, was a top commander of PLGA Battalion 1 and a lieutenant of Hidma, who was killed in an encounter in November.
Telangana DGP Shivadhar Reddy stated that Deva’s surrender, along with the surrender of 48 weapons, represents a major setback for the Maoists. He also noted that only one state committee member from Telangana remains underground following the surrender of Kanakanala Raji Reddy.
These developments – including the surrenders of senior Politburo member Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Sonu in October, and general secretary Basava Raju in May, alongside the deaths of Hidma and now the losses in Sukma and Bijapur – mark a substantial weakening of the Maoist movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Mukka’s death?
Vetti Mangdu alias Mukka was the secretary of the Konta area committee and a Divisional Committee member. He was reportedly responsible for the IED blast that killed Additional Superintendent of Police Akash Rao Giripunje in June last year.
What did Telangana DGP Shivadhar Reddy say about Deva’s surrender?
Telangana DGP Shivadhar Reddy stated that Deva’s surrender was a major setback for the Maoists and that only one state committee member from Telangana remains underground.
How many Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh since 2024?
Over 500 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh since 2024, with 285 killed last year alone, 256 of those in Bastar.
Given these recent developments, it is possible that security forces will continue to intensify operations in the region, potentially leading to further surrenders or encounters. However, the long-term impact on the Maoist movement remains to be seen.