Woman Naxal Sujata Carrying Bounty of Rs 1 crore Arrested in Telangana
Mastermind Behind Bastar Attacks That Claimed 176 Soldiers’ Lives
Raipur
Telangana police have arrested a prominent Naxal leader, Kalpana alias Sujata (60), who had a bounty of one crore rupees on her head. She was taken into custody while seeking medical treatment in Mahbubnagar, Hyderabad. Sujata is known to have orchestrated over 100 violent incidents in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada districts.
Police revealed that Sujata was wanted in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Her interrogation is expected to provide valuable information about Naxal operations. Sujata is known to have trained notorious Naxal leader Hidma and played a significant role in recruiting and organizing women cadres in the Naxal network.
Bastar police have not yet commented on her arrest, though it is believed that Sujata left the Bastar region some time ago and has been residing in Telangana. She held several influential positions within the Naxal hierarchy, including divisional head of South Bastar.
Major Attacks Masterminded by Sujata:
July 9, 2007: Naxals ambushed CRPF and district police personnel in Urapalmeta, Erraabor, killing 23.
April 6, 2010: An IED explosion in Tadmetla, Bastar, claimed the lives of 76 CRPF personnel.
May 17, 2010: A landmine attack on a passenger bus in Gadiras, Dantewada, resulted in 36 deaths, including 12 Special Police Officers.
May 25, 2013: The Jhiram Ghati attack killed tribal leader Mahendra Karma, Chhattisgarh Congress President Nand Kumar Patel, former Union Minister Vidya Charan Shukla, and 32 others.
April 24, 2017: Naxals ambushed CRPF personnel near Chintagufa, Sukma, resulting in the death of 25 soldiers.
March 21, 2020: In Chintagufa, Sukma, Naxals killed 17 soldiers during a search operation.
April 3, 2021: An ambush in Tekulgudem, Bijapur, left 21 soldiers dead. One soldier was abducted but later released.
Sujata’s Role and Many Identities:
Sujata is known by various aliases in the Naxal organization, including Padma, Sujatakka, and Jhansibai. In Bengal, she is also called Manyibai. She is educated up to the 12th grade and speaks several languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Telugu, Gondi, and Halbi.
Sujata’s Naxal Journey with Kishanji:
Sujata is the wife of Naxal leader Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishanji. She accompanied Kishanji to Bastar from Bengal, where she remained after Kishanji’s death in 2011.
Leadership in Naxal Women’s Wing:
Sujata is regarded as a hardcore Naxal leader. Unlike many women who leave the organization after their husband’s death, she continued to play a key role. Her brother-in-law Sonu is a member of the Central Committee, and Sonu’s wife is also a Naxal leader. Sujata is credited with training Naxal commander Madvi Hidma and recruiting women into the Naxal ranks.
