Two Senior Maoist Commanders with ₹35-Lakh Bounty Killed in Chhattisgarh
Security forces killed two senior Maoist leaders, Vijay Reddy and Lokesh Salame, in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki district. Reddy, a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, and Salame, a divisional committee member, carried a combined bounty of ₹35 lakh. The gunfight occurred in the Banda Pahad forest during an operation by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard and ITBP. With this operation, 229 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh this year.
Unpacked:
The Maoists, also known as Naxalites, are left-wing extremists seeking to overthrow the Indian government through armed struggle. They claim to fight for the rights of marginalized tribal communities and landless peasants, aiming to establish a communist state. Chhattisgarh is a major stronghold due to its dense forests and significant tribal population.
A combination of intensified security operations, improved intelligence, and government rehabilitation schemes has led to increased Maoist casualties and surrenders in Chhattisgarh. Many Maoists are disillusioned with the movement’s ideology and face hardships, including lack of medical care and resources, prompting them to surrender.
The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee is one of the most influential Maoist operational units, overseeing guerrilla activities across parts of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. It coordinates attacks, recruitment, logistics, and political strategy in the region, making its leaders key targets for security forces.
Local communities have faced violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods due to the ongoing conflict. Both Maoist attacks and counter-insurgency operations have contributed to insecurity. Some villagers have been caught between the two sides, facing coercion, suspicion, and sometimes being used as human shields.