Another success in anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's Sukma area. Three Maoist members died in a gunfight with security forces. Two of the deceased were women. All three had bounties of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads.
Sukma Police Superintendent Kiran Chavan said that an operation was launched after receiving information that a group of Maoists was hiding in the forest near Tumalpad village. As soon as police and security force members reached there, the Maoists started firing. Security force members retaliated. After the gunfight, three bodies were recovered along with firearms.
Police said that Madvi Deva, a member of Konta Area Committee and militia commander, died in this gunfight. Besides, two women Maoists named Podiyam Gangi of Konta area committee and Sori Gangi, a member of the Kistaram Area Committee, also died.
According to police sources, the District Reserve Guard (DRG) recovered a .303 rifle, a barrel grenade launcher, other firearms and ammunition during a search operation in that area. Search operations are continuing around the entire area. It is being checked whether any other Maoist member is hiding there.
The security forces had achieved success in operations against Maoists a few days ago as well. On November 11, six Maoist members died in a gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district. The total bounty on those six was Rs 27 lakh. They died in gunfights in the forests of Kandulnar and Kachlaram villages in the Indravati National Park area.
The Union Home Ministry has set a target to completely eliminate Maoists from the country by March next year. Maoists have been cornered by the continuous operations of security forces. Most of them have surrendered. Several have also died in gunfights with security personnel.
Bastar Range IG P Sundarraj said that Maoists have no other option but to surrender with weapons and return to the mainstream of society.
