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Andhra Pradesh's Maoist-Free Goal: How Police Plan to End Extremism by 2026

Andhra Pradesh's police chief has set an ambitious target to eliminate Maoist presence by March 2026. Recent operations in Maredumilli forests resulted in significant successes including the elimination of top commanders. Security forces are actively working to prevent Maoists from neighboring states establishing footholds. The police are encouraging surrenders while maintaining pressure through coordinated operations.

Key Points: Andhra Pradesh DGP Sets March 2026 Deadline for Maoist-Free State

  • Police achieved major success with two encounters in Maredumilli forests killing 13 Maoists
  • Operation Sambhav targets Maoists entering from Chhattisgarh border areas
  • Security forces arrested 50 Maoists attempting to establish new shelters
  • DGP warns remaining Maoists to surrender or face neutralization
2 min read

Andhra Pradesh will be Maoist-free by March 2026, says DGP

DGP Harish Kumar Gupta announces Andhra Pradesh will be free from Maoist extremism by March 2026 following successful encounters and Operation Sambhav.

"There is no place for violence in Andhra Pradesh - DGP Harish Kumar Gupta"

Visakhapatnam, Nov 20

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta on Thursday exuded confidence that Andhra Pradesh will be free from Maoists by the end of next March.

Stating that the police achieved huge success with the two encounters in Maredumilli forests in Alluri Sitharamaraju district, he said the police were taking all measures to achieve the target of making Andhra Pradesh free from left-wing extremism by March 2026 as part of the goal set by the Union Home Ministry.

Addressing a press conference at Rampachodavaram in Alluri Sitharamaraju district on Thursday, he said all the security forces were working to achieve the target.

The DGP arrived here to review the ongoing ‘Operation Sambhav’ launched to eliminate the Maoists who entered the Maredumilli agency in the Andhra Odisha border area from neighbouring Chhattisgarh.

He termed the two encounters in Maredumilli as a major success. Thirteen Maoists, including top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma and explosives expert Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar, were killed in these encounters.

The DGP said the police also arrested 50 Maoists from five districts on November 18. All these Maoists had come to Andhra Pradesh from Chhattisgarh as part of their attempts to establish a shelter.

He reiterated the call to all the Maoists to surrender and join the national mainstream. He warned that those refusing to surrender will be either caught or neutralised.

“There is no place for violence in Andhra Pradesh”, said the DGP.

The DGP clarified that CPI (Maoist) general secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji is not in the police custody.

Nine members of the protection team of Devuji were among 50 Maoists arrested in five districts on November 18, hours after an encounter in the forests of Alluri Sitharamaraju district in which top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, his wife Raje and four others were killed.

A day after Hidma’s killing, seven Maoists, including explosives expert Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar and six others, were killed in the same area.

Additional Director-General of Police (Intelligence) Mahesh Chandra Laddha, who briefed the DGP about the Operation Sambhav by displaying the seized weapons from the encounter sites.

Laddha had said on Wednesday that under pressure due to the operations by security forces, Maoists from Chhattisgarh are entering Andhra Pradesh to turn it into a shelter zone and that they plan to revive Maoist activity.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I support eliminating violence, I hope the government also focuses on development in tribal areas. Many join Maoists due to lack of opportunities and basic facilities. Both security and development should go hand in hand.
A
Arjun K
Operation Sambhav seems to be yielding good results. The elimination of top commanders like Madvi Hidma is a major blow to Maoist activities. Hope the March 2026 deadline is met! 🙏
S
Sarah B
I'm concerned about the human rights aspect. While violence must be stopped, we should ensure that innocent tribal people don't get caught in the crossfire. The surrender option is a good initiative.
V
Vikram M
The border coordination with Chhattisgarh needs to be strengthened. Maoists are using the border areas as safe havens. Better intelligence sharing between states is crucial for lasting peace.
K
Kavya N
As someone from Visakhapatnam, I've seen how Maoist activities affect development in rural areas. Hope this operation brings permanent peace so that schools, hospitals and industries can flourish in these regions.

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