Image for representational purposes.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mumbai: In a big blow to Maoist movement, six hardcore senior Naxal cadres including a couple cumulatively carrying a reward of Rs 65 lakh on their head, surrendered in Gadchiroli on Wednesday.
The surrender happened before Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla at the Eklavya Hall of the Gadchiroli police headquarters in presence of the top police brass of the district including officials of Special Operations, Anti-Naxal Operations and Central Reserve Police Force.
The couple has been identified as Bhimanna alias Vyankatesh alias Sukhlal Muttayya Kulmenthe (58) and Vimalakka alias Shankarakka Vistarayya Sadmek (56), both Divisional Committee Members (DVCM).
While Bhimanna is resident of Karancha and Vimalakka is from Mandra - both in Aheri tehsil.
Bhimanna was transferred to Maas (Mobile Academic School) Team of North Bastar Division in 2020 and worked as DVCM till date while in-charge of DK Press Team and DVCM.
The four others who surrendered are Kavita alias Shanti Mangaru Majji (34), Commander of West Bureau Tailor Team, Nagesh alias Aytal Guddi Madavi (39), PPCM, Company No. 10, Sameer Ayatu Potam (24), PPCM, South Bureau Technical Team) and Navata alias Rupi alias Surekha Chaitu Madavi (28), ACM, Aheri LOS.
Incidentally, earlier this year, on January 1, 2025, a total of 11 hardcore Maoists, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Tarakka Sidam, and on 06 June 2025, another 12 hardcore Maoists, including DVCM Sapnakka Buchayya Chaudhary, surrendered before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
These surrenders dealt a major blow to the Maoist movement in Gadchiroli and the entire Dandakaranya region.
“Due to the intensified anti-Maoist operations conducted by Gadchiroli police and the golden opportunity provided by the Government of Maharashtra for Maoists to surrender and lead a respectful life, 73 hardcore Maoists have surrendered before the Gadchiroli Police from 2022 till date, with 40 hardcore Maoists (including 06 who surrendered today) surrendering since 2025 till date,” Gadchiroli police officials said.
Among those who were present include Chhering Dorje, Additional DGP (Special Operations), Sandip Patil, Special Inspector General of Police(ANO), Nagpur, Ajai Kumar Sharma, DIG (Operations) CRPF, Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, M Ramesh, Additional SP (Operations), Satya Sai Karthik, Additional SP Aheri, Gokul Raj G, Additional SP (Administration), Sumit Verma, DC (Intelligence) CRPF, Aniket Hirde, ASP Dhanora and Vishal Nagargoje, Deputy SP (Operations).