Raipur
In a significant operation against Naxalites, Dudhi Hunga, a hardcore Maoist carrying a bounty, was killed in an encounter in the forests near Banjarapara, under the Polampalli police station area of Sukma district in Bastar on Saturday. Hunga, the Maoist Militia Commander in Arlampalli under the Konta Area Committee, had a large cache of weapons and Naxalite materials seized. He had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh announced by the Chhattisgarh government and an additional Rs 10,000 by the Sukma SP.
Hunga had 16 serious cases filed against him in different police stations across the district. The district police force played a crucial role in this operation.
Intelligence was received regarding the presence of key Maoist leaders in the Polampalli area, including Vetty Mangu, Hitesh, Sodi Gajendra, Sodi Manjula, Durro Kosi, and Dudhi Hunga, along with 15-20 other Maoists.
A district force team conducted an anti-Naxalite operation in the villages of Arlampalli, Banjarapara, Palamadgu, Tolnai, and Tetrai on the night of May 17-18, 2024.
Around 6:30 am on Saturday, armed Maoists ambushed the police team in the forest near Banjarapara, opening heavy fire with the intention of killing and looting weapons. The police retaliated in self-defense, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted approximately 20-25 minutes. Under mounting pressure from the police, the Maoists fled into the jungle.
The police discovered the body of an unidentified male Maoist, aged around 30-35 years, at the encounter site. They also found a country-made pistol, a Naxalite backpack, a tiffin bomb, detonators, gelatin rods, a soap bomb, Cordex wires, a black uniform, a belt, clothes, a tarp, Maoist literature, and other daily use items.
The deceased was identified as Dudhi Hunga, a resident of Arlampalli in Sukma, through information provided by a surrendered Maoist. Hunga had been the Militia Commander in the Arlampalli RPC under the Konta Area Committee and had participated in various Maoist activities for an extended period.
