Raipur
Police have uncovered and cracked down on an extensive Urban Naxal network operating across five districts of Chhattisgarh. This latest action follows the arrest of a Maoist couple in Raipur, marking the second such apprehension in the state capital.
The Raipur police arrested the couple, identified as Jaggu alias Ramesh Kursam (28) and Kamala Kursam (27), from the Changora Bhatha area in the state capital on Friday. The couple was allegedly living in Raipur for the past five years, concealing their identities.
Police traced the couple based on the call details of a senior Maoist leader. Initial investigations reveal that the couple had previously worked in the homes of several government officials.
This is the second instance of arrests of Naxalites and their facilitators in Raipur. Earlier, similar arrests were made in urban areas of five districts, including Rajnandgaon and Gariaband. Those arrested were accused of collecting levy (extortion money) and supplying arms, ammunition, guns, machinery, and other essential items to the Naxalites. The accused included businessmen and a BJP functionary.
Understanding Urban Naxalism
Urban Naxalism refers to the faction that lives in cities and provides direct or indirect support to Maoists. They engage in activities such as spreading ideology, recruiting youth, raising funds, providing logistical support, and offering legal aid to arrested Naxal cadres.
Following the formation of the CPI (Maoist) in 2004, the movement shifted its focus from jungles to urban centres. A key document released that year, titled “Urban Perspective”, outlined the Maoist organisation’s strategy to strengthen its base in cities by attempting to integrate middle-class employees, students, labourers, women, and minority communities. This urban network provides Naxalism with both resources and strategic direction.
Key Arrests and Cases Across Chhattisgarh
- Arms and Machinery Supply from Raipur (2015)
On 24 July 2015, a joint team from Dantewada police and intelligence agencies intercepted a vehicle near Jharalawa Nala on the Dhurli-Basanpur Road. Police arrested Raipur-based iron trader Arun Agrawal along with five others. They seized a lathe machine, ₹21,000 in cash, and five mobile phones.
Agrawal allegedly procured scrap iron contracts with Naxalite support and supplied detonators, gunpowder, generators, and welding machines to Maoist commander Sanjay. - Walkie-Talkie Set Supply Case (2020)
On 18 June 2020, Kanker and Rajnandgaon police arrested Hitesh Agrawal, Ajay Jain, and Dayashankar Mishra, who were accused of supplying walkie-talkie sets to Naxalites. - BJP Leader Arrested for Supplying Tractors (2020)
Dantewada police arrested Jagat Pujari (BJP District Vice President, son of former MLA Dhani Ram Pujari) and Ramesh from Orchha for supplying a Mahindra tractor to Ajay Telam, a Naxalite with ₹5 lakh bounty. - Gurgaon Trader Arrested in Rajnandgaon (2020)
Varun Jain, a Gurgaon-based businessman, was arrested for supplying shoes, ammunition, uniforms, wireless sets, and medicines to Naxalites. Police records indicate his family amassed ₹600 crore assets through illegal Naxal-linked work. - Explosives and Arms Supplier Arrested (2025)
On 10 January 2025, Narayanpur police arrested Prakash Soni for supplying arms and explosives. Police recovered cordex wire, cartridges, detonators, and a scanner (walkie-talkie). - Levy Collectors Arrested in Gariaband (2024)
On 10 August 2024, Gariaband police arrested five accused in Mainpur. They had collected ₹1 crore levy and handed it to Naxalites.
Government’s Anti-Naxal Push
These arrests align with the Central Government’s intensified push against Maoist violence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Raipur and Jagdalpur in 2024, warning Naxalites to surrender. Shah set a deadline of 31 March 2026 for the complete eradication of Naxalism across the country.
The existence of the urban network has been corroborated in Naxalite communications. A letter from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (viral on 23 September 2025) accused the police of arresting and killing Naxalite Ramchandra Reddy. The Supreme Court has instructed authorities to secure Reddy’s body after a petition by his son.
