Raipur, Feb 25 (NationPress) In a significant achievement for the anti-Naxal initiative in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, two Maoists have been handed down a sentence of five years of rigorous imprisonment each, paired with a fine of Rs 5,000.

The individuals in question, Hunga alias Guttum Sodi and Joga Kudami, both hailing from Pordem village situated under the Gadiras police station in the adjacent Sukma district, were apprehended on May 20, 2024.

On that date, a police unit led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Udaybhan Rathiya was concluding its security duty, which involved safeguarding road construction vehicles and workers on the Keshapara-Potali route.

At approximately 3:15 p.m., close to the new Keshapara-Potali roadway and approximately 400 to 500 meters from the construction site, the officers observed two dubious individuals attempting to conceal themselves in the foliage near a gravel pit.

The police swiftly encircled and captured them. Upon interrogation, both confessed to being active militia members of a prohibited Naxalite organization.

Authorities recovered a tiffin bomb weighing around three kilograms, two detonators, and electric wire from Hunga alias Guttum Sodi.

From Joga Kudami, they seized one cell phone, five bombs, firecrackers, and handwritten Naxalite posters. A seizure memo was drafted at the scene, and the pair was transported to the Aranpur police station.

A case was filed at the Aranpur police station, invoking pertinent sections of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act of 1908.

Following their arrest, they were presented before the court and placed in judicial custody. The trial proceeded in the Special Court under the NIA Act.

After reviewing the evidence provided by the prosecution and documenting witness testimonies, the court determined that the accused were in possession of explosive materials, including tiffin bombs and detonators.

The court convicted both individuals under Section 4(b) of the Explosive Substances Act of 1908 and imposed a sentence of five years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5,000.

Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

The investigation was spearheaded by Deputy Superintendent of Police Govind Dewan and Inspector Shankar Lal Dhruv, with notable input from Assistant Sub-Inspector Uday Bhan Rathiya and Constable Teksingh Taram. The Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai and Additional Superintendent of Police Ramkumar Barman have overseen an ongoing campaign against Naxal activities while ensuring security for development projects in the area.