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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In fight against Maoists, Bastar police try a new approach – reaching out to their families
Holding village outreach programmes, reaching out to existing Maoist cadres through their families and persuading them to lay down their arms – that's what the Bastar Police plans to do with its new initiative 'Poona Margham'. Translated as 'New Path', the outreach comes as part of the state government's anti-insurgency push to meet the central government's March 2026 push against the Maoist movement. It also comes months after the state government introduced the 'Naxal Surrender and Victim Rehabilitation Policy-2025'. According to the police, the campaign aims at having security forces – especially surrendered Maoists recruited into the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Bastar Fighters – reach out to families of existing cadres and persuade them to 'shun violence and join the mainstream'. 'Poona Margham is an initiative in which we will emphasise on reaching out to Maoists and facilitate their surrender and reintegration into society,' Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range Sundarraj P told The Indian Express. 'We will be conducting various community outreach programmes, meeting the family of the existing Maoist cadres and village elders to highlight the need for peace for the region's inclusive development.' The initiative also promises skill development training, promoting self-employment and livelihood opportunities and providing psychological counselling and social reintegration to surrendered Maoists. Other measures under the campaign include continuing outreach measures such as medical camps, holding sporting activities and cultural reintegration programmes. 'The campaign is to make the cadres realise that the Maoist outfit is breathing its last and that, now, they are left with only one option — shun violence and join mainstream. They are urged to understand their responsibilities toward their families, society, and nation, and adopt the path of peace, harmony, and rehabilitation,' Sundarraj P said. Counter-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh have intensified significantly since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state in December 2023. Since then, over 400 Maoists have been killed in the state – 221 in this year alone. Meanwhile, 38 security personnel and 97 civilians have also been killed in Naxal violence during the same period.
The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
KPJ earnings outlook likely to remain resilient
PETALING JAYA: Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Research expects KPJ Healthcare Bhd 's earnings outlook to remain resilient, underpinned by expected volume recovery in the second half of the year, rising case complexity and cost optimisation efforts. It added that the further delay in the diagnosis-related group (DRG) system is positive as it leaves earnings potential uncapped for the near-term. Last year, the Health Ministry said it was considering implementing a DRG system to help manage rising healthcare costs, particularly in private hospitals. The research house viewed KPJ's asset monetisation and lease renewal exercise as a strategic effort to unlock capital and support its 6,000-bed target by 2030. KPJ recently launched a 60-bed hospital in Kuala Selangor as part of its organic expansion, supporting progress towards its 6,000-bed financial year 2030 (FY30) target. 'Alongside five other hospitals under gestation (four are earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation or ebitda positive), this could pose near-term earnings upside,' it said. On July 8, KPJ said it had fulfilled all conditions precedent of the sale and purchase agreements related to its proposed sale and leaseback, as well as lease renewal. The sales and leaseback agreement for the new wings of KPJ Ampang Puteri and KPJ Penang for RM241mil cash. Maybank IB Research said KPJ has historically injected assets into its 34%-owned associate Al-Aqar Healthcare REIT to unlock asset value while retaining operational control via leasebacks. It said apart from the injection of these new hospital wings, the resolution also includes lease renewals on existing leaseback properties with Al-Aqar for KPJ Penang, KPJ Seremban, Taiping Medical Centre, KPJ Healthcare University and KPJ Healthcare College Penang, The research house maintained its FY25 to FY27 ebitda margin forecast of 24% as it leaves earnings estimates unchanged on potential impact of 8% sales and service tax (SST) on leases, pending clarity on possible business-to-business exemption. It has, however, trimmed FY25 to FY27 earnings by 2%, 4% and 4%, respectively. The research house is 'neutral' on the SST expansion of 6% on foreign patients, and 8% on leased assets. 'For the latter, we believe there is a possibility for KPJ to be eligible for exemptions,' it said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maoists killed in Abujhmarh encounter carried 48L cash bounty
Raipur: The six Maoists killed in Abujhmarh on Friday included four women, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and commander of PLGA Platoon No 01, who played a critical role in facilitating the movement of senior Maoist leaders and carried a cash bounty of Rs 48 lakh. Six Maoists were killed during a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Pariya-Kakur in Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district of Bastar division. The operation was conducted under the state-led "Marh Bachao Abhiyan" and part of the broader Operation Monsoon, has marked a significant achievement for Narayanpur Police and joint security forces, including DRG, STF, and BSF units. Among the six Maoists killed were Rahul Punem alias Lachhu (38), DVCM, Commander, PLGA Platoon No. 01 from Sukma, Ungi Tati (24), Member from Jagargunda, Sukma, Manisha (25), Member from Sonpur, Narayanpur, Tati Meena alias Somari alias Chhoti (22), Member from Gangloor, Bijapur, Harish alias Kosa (25), Member from Pamed, Bijapur and Kudam Budhri (21), Member from Dhanora, Narayanpur. Each carried an individual reward of Rs 8 lakh announced by the Chhattisgarh govt. Police officials said that despite difficult terrain and heavy rains, security forces launched an intensive search operation based on specific intelligence inputs. The offensive began on July 17 and involved DRG personnel from Narayanpur, Bastar, Kondagaon, and Kanker districts, supported by STF units and the 129th, 133rd, and 135th battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF). On July 18, intermittent gunfire exchanges erupted between Maoist cadres and the advancing forces. The operation culminated in a major breakthrough with the recovery of six bodies and a cache of sophisticated weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, an SLR, a 12-bore gun, 11 BGL launchers, and 83 BGL shells. Explosives, Maoist literature, and survival items were also seized from the site. With this operation, the total number of Maoists neutralized in Bastar in 2025 has risen to 204. Addressing the press at Police Line, Narayanpur, Inspector General (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said, "A determined and effective campaign is underway across Bastar against the banned CPI (Maoist). The neutralization of over 200 Maoists this year underscores the unwavering commitment of the police and security forces to restore peace and development." Superintendent of Police, Narayanpur, Robinson Guria, added, "We are in a decisive phase of eliminating Naxalism from Bastar. Those still trapped in this hollow ideology must surrender and return to the mainstream. If not, they will meet the same fate."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Maoists killed in Bastar's Abujhmarh encounter carried Rs 48 lakh bounty, includes four women & top PLGA commander
RAIPUR: The six Maoists killed in Abujhmarh on Friday included four women, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) and commander of PLGA Platoon No. 01, who played a critical role in facilitating the movement of senior Maoist leaders and carried a cash bounty of Rs 48 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Six Maoists were killed during a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Pariya-Kakur in Abujhmarh in Narayanpur district of Bastar division. The operation was conducted under the state-led 'Marh Bachao Abhiyan' and part of the broader Operation Monsoon, has marked a significant achievement for Narayanpur Police and joint security forces, including DRG, STF, and BSF units. Among the six Maoists killed were Rahul Punem alias Lachhu (38), DVCM, Commander, PLGA Platoon No. 01 from Sukma, Ungi Tati (24), Member, from Jagargunda, Sukma, Manisha (25), Member, from Sonpur, Narayanpur, Tati Meena alias Somari alias Chhoti (22), Member, from Gangloor, Bijapur, Harish alias Kosa (25), Member, from Pamed, Bijapur and Kudam Budhri (21), Member, from Dhanora, Narayanpur. Each carried an individual reward of Rs 8 lakh announced by the Chhattisgarh government. Police officials said that despite difficult terrain and heavy rains, security forces launched an intensive search operation based on specific intelligence inputs. The offensive began on July 17 and involved DRG personnel from Narayanpur, Bastar, Kondagaon, and Kanker districts, supported by STF units and the 129th, 133rd, and 135th battalions of the Border Security Force (BSF). On July 18, intermittent gunfire exchanges erupted between Maoist cadres and the advancing forces. The operation culminated in a major breakthrough with the recovery of six bodies and a cache of sophisticated weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, an SLR, a 12-bore gun, 11 BGL launchers, and 83 BGL shells. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Explosives, Maoist literature, and survival items were also seized from the site. With this operation, the total number of Maoists neutralized in Bastar in 2025 has risen to 204. Addressing the press at Police Line, Narayanpur, Inspector General (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P. said, 'A determined and effective campaign is underway across Bastar against the banned CPI (Maoist). The neutralization of over 200 Maoists this year underscores the unwavering commitment of the police and security forces to restore peace and development.' Superintendent of Police, Narayanpur, Robinson Guria, added, 'We are in a decisive phase of eliminating Naxalism from Bastar. Those still trapped in this hollow ideology must surrender and return to the mainstream. If not, they will meet the same fate.'
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Five Maoists, including minor, arrested in Chhattisgarh's Sukma
Raipur: In a major success for anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh, security forces arrested five Maoists, including a minor, in a joint action near the Chintalnar police station area of Sukma district. The operation, carried out by personnel from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, and local police, led to the recovery of a significant cache of explosives. Among the seized items were 20 gelatin sticks, eight detonators, 10 non-electric detonators, and approximately three meters of cordex wire. According to Sukma SP Kiran Chavan, the arrested individuals were active militia members from the Jagargunda-Pamed area committee and had been involved in a firing incident targeting a police patrol party on November 24, 2024. All five had serious criminal cases registered against them at the Chintalnar police station. Following their arrest on July 16, four were sent to judicial custody while the minor was placed in a juvenile home. This development comes amid an intensified crackdown on Maoist insurgency across Bastar, following Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement to eradicate Naxalism from India by March 2026. Maoist organisations themselves have acknowledged the loss of 357 cadres in the past year, including 136 women fighters, in a booklet listing names of those killed in encounters. The government's dual approach -- combining aggressive security operations with rehabilitation efforts -- has led to over 1,400 Maoist surrenders since December 2023. Many former cadres have cited ideological disillusionment and internal discrimination as reasons for laying down arms. Just last week, 23 Maoists with a combined bounty of Rs 1.18 crore surrendered in Sukma, including senior members of the PLGA battalion. Officials said the latest arrests highlight the growing effectiveness of coordinated intelligence and field-level action. With sustained pressure and expanding development initiatives in remote tribal regions, authorities aim to further dismantle the insurgency and reintegrate former combatants into civil society.
