Maoist killed in Bijapur encounter was a mid-day meal cook in Chhattisgarh govt school, say Basta police
RAIPUR:
One of the seven Maoists killed during an anti-Naxal operation earlier this month in Bijapur district of Bastar division worked as a cook in a govt school, police revealed on Saturday.
Seven Maoists were killed in multiple encounters by a joint team of security personnel during an anti-Naxal operation in Indravati National Park area of Bijapur between June 4 and June 7. While one of them was identified as Mahesh Kudiyam, who served as an active party member of the national park area committee of Maoists, it was later known that he was working as an assistant cook at a primary school in Irpagutta village too.
The matter came to light on Saturday when few villagers from Irpagutta claimed before a scribe that Kudiyam was not associated with the Maoist organisation, rather worked as a cook in a village school for preparing mid-day meal. It was found that Kudiyam also got remuneration in his bank account and was appointed by the village school management committee. He was paid the salary till Marc 2025 and is survived by his wife and seven children.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Police had to then issue a statement saying that Kudiyam was a CPI (Maoists) party member and had clear links with the group.
'The circumstances under which Mahesh Kudiyam came in contact with senior Maoist leaders including Central Committee member Gautam and State Committee member Bhaskar, are currently under investigation. A thorough, impartial, and professional inquiry is being conducted into all aspects of the case,' a statement issued by Bastar police said.
During the first fortnight of June 2025, a series of intensive anti-Naxal operations were conducted by security forces in National Park Area of Bijapur district. Following exchanges of fire between security personnel and Maoists, the bodies of seven cadres were recovered.
Among the deceased were two senior Maoist commanders Narasimha Chalam alias Sudhakar - a Central Committee member of CPI (Maoist) carrying cash reward of Rs 40 lakh and Bhaskar Rao, a State Committee member who carried Rs 20 lakh reward.
One of the other recovered bodies was identified as Mahesh Kudiyam who worked as a cook and continued his association with Maoists. He carried Rs 1 lakh cash reward.
Police have once again urged all individuals directly or indirectly associated with the banned organisation to immediately sever all such ties. 'Continued association with this extremist outfit poses a serious threat not only to public safety and regional peace but also to the lives and future of those involved,' police said.
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