32 Maoists ‘neutralised’, 23 surrendered in Gadchiroli over two years: Police

Police in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district neutralized 32 Maoists in anti-insurgency operations, emphasizing community engagement for lasting peace and development.

In an anti-insurgency operation by police in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district in July this year, 12 Maoists were killed during a six-hour-long encounter in the dense Wandoli forests near the Chhattisgarh border. The operation, conducted amid torrential rains, involved over 200 police commandos airdropped into the rugged terrain. According to officials, the deceased Maoists belonged to the Kasansur-Chatgaon LOS Dalam, and a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered.

This was one of the major anti-Maoist operations in the last two years, during which Gadchiroli police have “neutralised” 32 Maoists, including nine Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs) and two commanders. “Between October 2022 and now, 32 Maoists have died in exchanges of fire, while a few of our personnel sustained injuries,” said District Superintendent of Police Neelotpal.

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Despite repeated attempts by Maoists to ambush police personnel or detonate landmine traps, the Gadchiroli police have maintained a 100% success rate with no casualties among their forces, he said. “Even a single casualty can impact the morale of the entire team. That’s why we meticulously verify every piece of intelligence multiple times—often over a dozen checks—to ensure it’s not a trap,” Mr. Neelotpal, a 2014-batch IPS officer, told The Hindu.

During the same period, 23 Maoists, including a Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member (DKSZCM), a DVCM, and three commanders, surrendered to authorities. The police also arrested 54 Maoists, including high-ranking members. 

“Even hardcore Maoists grow weary of jungle life and the internal atrocities within their ranks. Once they feel safe to exit, they choose to surrender. We ensure their security and rehabilitation,” said Mr. Neelotpal, adding that surrendered Maoists are provided housing in a dedicated colony.

Another major operation took place on October 21, in which five Maoists, including two DVCMs and three cadre members, were killed near the Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh.