Andhra Pradesh: A senior Maoist leader was arrested during a combing operation conducted by security forces in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district, police confirmed on Sunday.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Bardar, addressing the media in Paderu, stated that Maoist operatives attempted to open fire on security personnel during search operations in the Killankota panchayat and Chintaguppa areas of G Madugula mandal. However, they retreated, and one Maoist was captured during the operation.
The arrested individual has been identified as Chaito alias Naresh, a native of Bhaliaputtu village in Odisha’s Koraput district. According to officials, Naresh became involved in Maoist activities at a young age, initially joining the Jana Natya Mandali troupe in 2011. By the age of 15, he had been influenced by Maoist ideology, steadily rising through the ranks. In 2017, he became commander of the Cut-Off Boipariguda Dalam, and at the time of his arrest, he was serving as a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) and Secretary of the Pedabayalu-Korukonda Area Committee.
SP Bardar noted that Naresh had participated in at least eight armed encounters with security forces. During the operation, police recovered a 9 mm pistol, ninety 9 mm rounds, a .303 rifle magazine, two live .303 bullets, and three kit bags from the scene.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, SP Bardar reminded the public that Maoism remains a banned ideology. He appealed to those involved in Maoist activities to surrender voluntarily, assuring that they would be rehabilitated and not prosecuted. However, he issued a stern warning that anyone found aiding or sheltering Maoists would be charged with sedition and face strict legal action.
In a related development, Maoist area commander Arun alias Varun alias Nilesh Madkam was killed in an encounter on August 13 in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand. The operation was a joint effort by security forces and the Chaibasa police, launched after receiving intelligence about Maoist presence in the Goilkera jungle.
Inspector General (IG) of Police (Operations), Michael Raj S, stated that the Cobra 209 Battalion, an elite CRPF commando unit, was involved in the exchange of fire. He confirmed that weapons had been recovered from the site and added that further details would follow.
