Raipur
In the aftermath of a search operation conducted on the Dantewada and Bijapur border, security forces have successfully identified the Naxalites who were killed during the encounter. Among them, a woman member of the Naxalite military platoon carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on her head, while the male Naxalite had a reward of Rs 1 lakh.
The deceased female Maoist has been identified as Dodi Lakhe, also known as Madavi Lakhe, who was a member of Military Platoon Number 24 and served as the Chairperson of Keralapal KAMS/ACM (Area Committee Member). She had a history of involvement in various Naxalite incidents, with a total of five crimes registered against her in the Dantewada and Sukma districts.
During the Naxal combing search campaign, a fierce exchange of fire ensued as Naxalites ambushed security forces between the forests of Purangel and Gampur under the Kirandul police station area. Responding to the attack, security personnel retaliated with a defensive stance, forcing the Naxalites to retreat into the jungle. Subsequently, during a thorough search operation, the bodies of a male and a female Maoist were recovered.
The deceased male Naxalite has been identified as Lachhu, a resident of Gampur, Pad Gampur Village, who held the position of Chairman in the Gram Janatana Sarkar. The government had announced a reward of Rs 100,000 on this position. Only one crime was registered against him in the Kirandul police station.
The encounter has raised the possibility of several other Naxalites sustaining injuries. In response, security forces have intensified search operations in the area to flush out any remaining insurgents.
In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024, security measures have been bolstered with a Naxal eradication campaign being led by Inspector General of Police Bastar Range, Sundararaj P, Inspector General of Police Dantewada Range, Kamalochan Kashyap (IPS), and Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ops), CRPF, Dantewada Range, Vikas Katheriya, alongside Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai. Under their guidance, a joint team comprising District Reserve Guards (DRG) and Bastar Fighters (BFR) Dantewada, as well as CRPF 111, 230, 231 battalions’ young platoons, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Rahul Kumar Uikey, has commenced a rigorous Naxal combing search campaign.
