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8 Maoists Arrested, 5 Senior Cadres Surrender in Gadchiroli Operation

Gadchiroli Police and CRPF arrested eight Maoists and secured the surrender of five senior cadres in Operation Antim Prahar. The arrested include two Divisional Committee Members involved in a February encounter. Security forces seized 51 firearms and ₹65.34 lakh in cash. Officials say Maoism in Gadchiroli has nearly collapsed, with 819 total surrenders since the rehabilitation policy.

Key Points: 8 Maoists Arrested, 5 Surrender in Gadchiroli

  • 8 Maoists arrested in Operation Antim Prahar
  • 5 senior cadres surrendered
  • 51 firearms and ₹65.34 lakh cash seized
  • 819 total surrenders since rehabilitation policy
2 min read

Maharashtra: 8 Maoists arrested, 5 senior cadres surrender before Gadchiroli Police and CRPF

Gadchiroli Police and CRPF arrest eight Maoists, including senior cadres, and secure surrender of five others in major anti-Maoist operation. Weapons and cash seized.

"Maoism in Gadchiroli has now nearly collapsed - Police officials"

Gadchiroli, May 16

Gadchiroli Police and CRPF have arrested eight Maoists and secured the surrender of five senior Maoist cadres during 'Operation Antim Prahar' against Left Wing Extremism.

According to a statement on Saturday, the action has dealt a decisive blow to Maoist activities in Gadchiroli district, with no Maoists now remaining on the district police records.

The eight arrested Maoists include two Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs) and two Platoon Party Committee Members (PPCMs). Some of them were allegedly involved in the February 7 Phodewada encounter in which a C-60 commando was killed.

During the operations, security forces seized 51 firearms, including LMGs, AK-47 rifles, SLRs, INSAS rifles, .303 rifles, 12-bore guns, BGL launchers, detonators, live cartridges and Maoist material. Police also recovered ₹65.34 lakh in cash allegedly hidden for future attacks on security forces.

The arrested Maoists were identified as Raju alias Mangdu Weko, Jyoti alias Akila alias Samita Potavi, Janni alias Nagi Ungal Yemla, Jairam Monge Gawde, Mukesh alias Lachhu Lakku Avlam, Vijay alias Mangdu Hunga Tamo, Rajita alias Shambatti Kosa Madavi and Aamti alias Ayti alias Sandhya Idma Podiyam.

The Maharashtra government had announced a combined reward of ₹64 lakh for the arrested cadres.

Several of them are accused in encounter cases, murders and other Maoist-related offences across Maharashtra and neighbouring states. In a parallel development on May 16, five senior Maoists surrendered before Gadchiroli Police and CRPF.

The surrendered cadres include Madhu alias Rakesh alias Bajirao Buklu Velda (DVCM), Jeevan alias Jaggu alias Bhima Deva Madkam (PPCM), Rajni alias Durga alias Ramoti Dhurwa (ACM), Mangli Raghu Kursam and Laxmi Denga Punem. Authorities said a total reward of ₹38 lakh had been declared for them.

Police stated that the Maoists chose to surrender due to sustained anti-Maoist operations, the government's rehabilitation policy and frustration with violent underground life.

Police officials said Maoism in Gadchiroli has now nearly collapsed and is confined only to some border areas of Bhamragad subdivision.

Since 2025, a total of 137 Maoists have surrendered before Gadchiroli Police and CRPF, while overall surrenders since the launch of the rehabilitation policy have reached 819. Senior police and CRPF officials termed the latest arrests and surrenders as one of the biggest setbacks to Maoist networks in the Dandakaranya region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Impressive operation! 819 surrenders since the rehabilitation policy started is a significant number. However, I hope these surrendered Maoists are given genuine opportunities to reintegrate into society, not just processed as statistics. The recovery of ₹65 lakh in cash shows the scale of their operations.
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Vikram M
Finally some good news from Gadchiroli! My cousin serves in the CRPF there and he says the situation has improved a lot. But we must remember that Maoism thrives on local grievances - poverty, lack of education, exploitation by middlemen. The police operations are necessary but development is equally important. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Michael C
These numbers are promising but I'm cautious. Every time the police claim Maoism is "collapsing", there are reports of attacks later. The fact that 51 firearms including LMGs and AK-47s were seized shows they were well-armed. Let's hope this is truly the beginning of the end in Dandakaranya.
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Priya S
As someone from Maharashtra, I'm relieved but also worried about those who were forced into Maoism due to circumstances. The government should focus on providing education, healthcare and employment in these remote areas. Arrests alone won't solve the problem - we need comprehensive development. ✨
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Rohit P
Operation Antim Prahar - what a name! 💪 8 arrested and 5 senior cadres surrendered is a big success for Gadchiroli Police. But I want to know more about the rehabilitation policy - are these people being trained for jobs? Given legal aid? Just surrendering isn't enough; we need to ensure they don't go back to violence.

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