Security forces have exchanged fire with Maoists in Abujhmad. Top Naxal leaders are believed to be hiding in the area. Security forces are engaged in an encounter with a large group of Maoists at an undisclosed location in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmad area since Thursday morning. Police sources said the security personnel are safe and search operations are underway in the area. Top Maoist leaders are suspected to be hiding in Abujhmad – an unsurveyed area larger than the state of Goa. It stretches across Narayanpur district and extends to parts of Bijapur and Dantewada. According to sources, the security forces set out from a nearby police camp after receiving information about the presence of Maoists.
A police officer said, “The encounter started at 8 am (Thursday) and firing took place at regular intervals. All security personnel are safe. Search operations are underway.” The officer said the forces were trying to ascertain whether any Maoist was injured or killed in the encounter.
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A senior police officer said top Naxal leaders like political bureau member and CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basavaraju alias Nambala Keshava Rao, political bureau member Mallejula Venugopal alias Sonu alias Boopathi, political bureau member Devji alias Tirupati, central committee members Kosa alias Satyanarayana Reddy and Ramachandra Reddy alias Gudsa Usendi are hiding in Abujhmad. “They have a three-tier security cordon, with the last layer comprising 20-30 handpicked fighters,” the officer said.
The revenue department of the Chhattisgarh government has been unable to complete the land survey in 90 per cent of Abujhmad, as it has been one of the main strongholds of the Maoists. More than 40 anti-Maoist operations have been carried out this year, including six major operations since April, during which a total of 63 Maoists were killed.
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Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range Sundararaj P said: “Four new security camps have been set up so far in 2024, covering about 20 per cent of the security vacuum in Abujhmad. Overall, we have covered about 50 per cent of the security vacuum in Abujhmad so far. We will not allow any part of Abujhmad to be used as a safe haven by Maoists who intend to carry out their nefarious activities in the region.”
