In a major action, security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur shot dead two Naxalites during an encounter. Police said on Saturday that both had a combined reward of Rs 16 lakh on their heads.
Hidma Podiyam, 34, and Munna Madkam, 25, were part of the banned CPI (Maoist) group’s military platoon number 1. They were killed in a gun battle with the District Reserve Guard in the dense forest area of south-west Bijapur, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav told PTI.
Weapons and Items Seized from the Spot
Security forces found a .303 rifle, a 12-bore gun, eight bullets, batteries, cordex wire, a scanner, Maoist pamphlets and other material from the place where the encounter happened.
Earlier this week, security forces also killed Modem Balakrishna alias Manoj, a Central Committee Member (CCM) of the banned outfit who had a bounty of Rs 1.80 crore. He and nine other members were gunned down during a fierce clash on the hills of Rajadera-Matal under Mainpur police station on Thursday.
Heavy Casualties for Naxalites This Year
According to PTI, 243 Naxalites have been killed in different encounters across Chhattisgarh this year. Out of these, 214 were eliminated in Bastar division, which has seven districts. Another 27 were killed in Gariaband district of Raipur division, and two more were shot dead in Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district of Durg division.
CM Praises Security Forces for Their Efforts
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday lauded the work of agencies and security forces in removing Naxalism from the state.
He said, “Since our government took charge twenty months ago, Central Security Forces and Chhattisgarh Police have been fighting Naxalism with courage. Operations are giving us positive results. Yesterday, in a Naxalite encounter in Gariaband, our forces achieved great success. I salute their bravery,” PTI quoted CM Sai as saying.
