Was Top Maoist Commander Shravan Neutralized in Chhattisgarh Encounter?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shravan Madkam was a high-ranking Maoist commander.
- The operation involved the District Reserve Guard and Border Security Force.
- Three Maoists were neutralized during the encounter.
- Authorities recovered a significant cache of weapons.
- The operation is expected to disrupt Maoist coordination in the region.
Raipur, Sep 28 (NationPress) In a significant victory for law enforcement, the prominent Maoist leader Shravan Madkam, also known as Vishwanath or Budhram Punem, was eliminated during an ongoing clash between police forces and Maoists in the Tiarpani forests of Chhattisgarh's Kanker district.
This operation, which commenced on Sunday, is a coordinated effort involving the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Border Security Force (BSF).
Police Chief Indira Kalyan Elisela confirmed the demise of Shravan, who held the position of Secretary for the Sitanadi-Ravas Coordination Area Committee.
In addition to Shravan, two other Maoists — Rajesh, alias Rakesh Hemla, who led the Nagari Area Committee/Gobra LOS, and Basanti Kunjam, alias Hidmen PM, a member of the Mainpur-Nuapada Coordination Protection Team — were also neutralized.
The encounter took place in the rugged forested area near Chhindkharak village, situated within the jurisdiction of the Kanker police station, close to the Dhamtari-Odisha border.
A follow-up search operation resulted in the retrieval of the remains of two male and one female Maoist, along with a stockpile of weaponry including a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a .303 rifle, a 12-bore rifle, and various Maoist materials.
The three deceased Maoists had a total bounty of Rs 14 lakh, with Shravan carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh, Rajesh Rs 5 lakh, and Basanti Rs 1 lakh.
According to Elisela, the joint task force initiated the action based on intelligence regarding Maoist movements in the central forest region of Kanker.
The confrontation is still ongoing, with security personnel continuing their combing operations in the dense forest area.
This event represents a considerable setback to Maoist activities in the region, particularly with the removal of Shravan, a senior figure in the Sitanadi Area Committee.
Authorities anticipate that this operation will disrupt the coordination among Maoist factions operating along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. Heightened security measures have been implemented in surrounding districts, and additional reinforcements have been dispatched to ensure thorough area sanitization.
The police have reaffirmed their dedication to eradicating Maoist influence and restoring peace in the impacted regions.