Latest news with #Maad
India Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Watch: Jawans, who neutralised 27 Naxals, welcomed with tilak in Chhattisgarh
Jawans of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), who neutralised 27 Maoists, including the topmost leader and backbone of the Naxal movement, CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basavaraju on Wednesday, were welcomed with a tilak ceremony in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur Naxal leaders gunned down by the DRG had a combined bounty of Rs 13.5 crore. The jawans were celebrated with a tilak ceremony and a grand civic reception in Narayanpur, where locals honored their bravery. advertisementDespite heavy rain, celebrations continued late into the night, with videos of DRG jawans dancing to traditional Bastariya songs circulating online. The operation, dubbed Operation Black Forest, took place in the dense forests of Abhujmad at the tri-junction of Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada DRG team, comprising personnel from Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon, acted on intelligence about the presence of senior Maoist leaders, including central committee and politburo members, Maad division cadres, and PLGA (People's Liberation Guerrilla Army) Home Minister Amit Shah also hailed "brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough" and highlighted that this is the first time in three decades that a general secretary-ranked leader has been eliminated by the security forces in India's battle against Naxalism."A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement," Shah wrote on also shared further details of Operation Black Forest, informing that a total of 54 Naxalites have been arrested, while 84 others have surrendered in three states, namely Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Watch IN THIS STORY#Chhattisgarh
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The fall of Basavaraj: A turning point in India's Maoist insurgency
Hyderabad: The death of Nambala Keshava Rao , alias Basavaraj , in Wednesday's encounter in Chhattisgarh marks a critical juncture in India's decades long Maoist insurgency . At 70, Basavaraj was the general secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), making him the highest-ranking leader ever killed in action. His elimination in the Maoist stronghold of Maad division, deep in the Dandakaranya forest, is being hailed as a watershed moment by security agencies. Srikakulam roots Born in Jiyannapeta village of Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district, Basavaraj came from a middle class Kalinga family. A B Tech graduate from the Regional Engineering College (now NIT), Warangal, he was drawn into radical politics through the Radical Students Union (RSU) during his college days. A 1979 campus clash with RSS members, which resulted in a student's death, led to Basavaraj being arrested and later jumping bail in 1980. He soon disappeared underground, beginning his revolutionary career in the tribal belts of the Andhra-Odisha border, organising peasant movements and laying the foundation for armed resistance. He formally entered the Maoist armed struggle with three country-made pistols and a mission to form the Rythu Coolie Sangham. Architect of armed strategy Joining the People's War Group in the 1980s, Basavaraj steadily rose as its chief military strategist. Between 1989 and 1990, he is believed to have trained in explosives and landmines under the LTTE. He used this expertise to train Maoist cadres and orchestrate large-scale attacks across Chhattisgarh and beyond. In 2001, he became the head of the Central Military Commission, overseeing operations such as the 2003 Alipiri blast targeting then Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush, which killed senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma and 25 others. Always accompanied by his elite armed guard of 'Company 7,' Basavaraj was known to carry an AK-47 and was fluent in Telugu, Hindi, English, and Gondi. After the 2004 merger of the People's War and Maoist Communist Centre, Basavaraj remained in the top echelons. He succeeded Muppala Lakshmana Rao (Ganapathy) as general secretary in 2018, after the latter stepped down citing health concerns. Focus on militarisation Unlike Ganapathy's cautious ideological approach, Basavaraj prioritised militarisation and rejected peace talks unless preceded by a complete state withdrawal. He continued to direct operations from the forests of Maad, maintaining contact with both central and regional Maoist units. Intelligence sources suggest he acted as a liaison with international extremist networks, allegedly travelling to Turkey, Peru, and Germany to establish foreign military ties. Basavaraj's wife, Sharada, was a Maoist commander who died by suicide in 2010. His family in Andhra Pradesh, however, chose conventional lives — one brother is a vigilance officer in Visakhapatnam Port Trust, while others include a doctor, teachers, and a local politician. This stark contrast reflects the ideological and personal dualities he embodied. With a bounty of ₹25 lakh on his head in Andhra Pradesh alone, Basavaraj was among India's most wanted Maoist leaders. Pivotal blow Security agencies believe his death could destabilise the Maoist leadership , as he held multiple top positions—general secretary, politburo member, and Central Committee member. Telangana director general of police Jitender told TOI, "It's a big blow to Maoists and a major success for security forces in Chhattisgarh." While Basavaraj's death closes a significant chapter, whether it signals the decline of the Maoist insurgency remains uncertain.
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
First developmental works reach Nelangur, once a naxal bastion, in Abujhmad
Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 20 (ANI): Once known for its dense forests, steep mountains, and Naxal dominance, Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district is now witnessing a significant turnaround as multiple developmental projects are underway. Authorities have launched multiple infrastructure projects, including the construction of a National Highway, to improve connectivity between this remote tribal region and major cities. According to Narayanpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Prabhat Kumar, road construction is already underway and progressing steadily. 'A camp at village Nelangur was established around six months back and after the camp came into existence, construction of a road measuring around 65-70 kilometres was completed, which includes several bridges', said SP Prabhat Kumar, adding that previously, the road was limited till Akabeda. 'National Highway is being constructed here and by next year, roads will reach Nelangur, Gadchiroli, Nagpur and Mumbai,' SP Prabhat Kumar added, highlighting the massive connectivity plans for the region. He also said that five panchayats in the area have new access after the construction of this road. 'With this development, we managed to change the perception that Abujhmad is unsurveyed, inaccessible and a safe haven for naxals. The area is witnessing significant transformation and it could be noticed by the behaviour of villagers as well as naxal cadres,' said the SP. The SP further elaborated that Naxals have separated their areas according to the rank. The movement of cadres belonging to the Kutul area committee, as well as the Maad division and fighting force, is confined, and they are not allowed to go to Nelangur. Several senior Naxal leaders, who have surrendered after spending 15-20 years in the banned organisation, have never seen Nelangur. Nelangur was a safe place for CC members, top cadres like Basvaraju, K Ramchandra Reddy and others. 'After the force and administration penetrated to this village, several armed naxals active in the area surrendered, and now they are witnessing development as well as how the government is working to protect the interest of the tribal population', said the SP. By witnessing the transformation, the naxal cadres are returning back to their village and joining the mainstream of the society, added SP Prabhat Kumar. 'Village Nelangur has been included in Niyad Nellanar Yojana, following which the survey has been carried out, and Ayushman card, Aadhaar card, voter ID card, and birth certificate have been distributed. Similarly, a school will soon be built in the village and works of Jal Jeevan Mission are going to be completed,' said Narayanpur Collector Pratishtha Mamgain. She further elaborated that a school building has been approved, construction of anganwadi center's building started and people are availing the benefits of government schemes. Moreover, we have received the approval of NH-130D upto Negalgur. A local resident shared his experience and said, '...After the establishment of police camps, we got to know that new roads are being built here which will reach Nagpur and Mumbai. We want bus services in our the police camps came here, we got access to TVs. We want a mobile network and proper electricity in our village too...' While the villagers expressed happiness over the ongoing projects, they also voiced their need for basic amenities, including bus connectivity, mobile networks, and electricity. Due to the determination of the government in the state and at the centre coupled with sacrifices of security personnel, a camp of security forces has recently been opened at Nelangur and people in the area are now getting the facility of ambulance, healthcare and other government schemes. Moreover, construction of the road being carried out will give easy connectivity to the area with several districts of neighbouring Maharashtra. The establishment of police camps in Naxal-affected areas has brought a newfound sense of security among locals and paved the way for development. (ANI)
