Maharashtra: 8 Maoists arrested, 5 senior cadres surrender before Gadchiroli Police and CRPF
According to a statement on Saturday, the action dealt a decisive blow to Maoist activities in Gadchiroli district and there are no more Maoists left in the police records of the district.
The eight Maoists arrested include two Divisional Committee Members (DVCM) and two Detachment Party Committee Members (PPCM). 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 materials. The police also seized ₹65.34 lakh in cash, which was allegedly kept 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 total reward of ₹ 64 lakh for the arrested cadres.
Many of them are accused of encounter cases, murders and other Maoist-related crimes in Maharashtra and neighboring 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. Officials said that a total reward of ₹38 lakh was announced to them.
Police stated that the Maoists chose to surrender due to ongoing anti-Maoist operations, the government’s rehabilitation policy, and frustration with the violent underground life.
Maoism in Gadchiroli has now almost collapsed and is confined only to some border areas of Bhamragad subdivision, police officials said.
A total of 137 Maoists have surrendered before Gadchiroli Police and CRPF since 2025, taking the total number of surrenderers since the launch of the rehabilitation policy to 819. Senior police and CRPF officials described the latest arrests and surrenders as one of the biggest disruptions to Maoist networks in Dandakaranya district.
