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Chhattisgarh Timeline 2015

Date

Incidents

January 1

A heavily armed group of CPI-Maoist cadres killed a former intelligence unit 'chief' of the Maoists, identified as Shivaji Korsa at Kottapal village in Bijapur District, who had surrendered before Police in 2012.

Maoists torched a road roller and a motorcycle at Sarhandi Sihari village under Tadoki Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.

January 2

A Policeman, identified as Assistant Constable Somlu Hemla (30), was killed by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres with bow and arrow at Patliguda village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.

A person named as Anup Kumar who claims himself to be a 'senior Maoist leader' operating in Sukma District has threatened to abduct Mungeli District Collector Sanjay Alang in the State within 24 hours if he failed to cancel the drive to recruit Revenue Inspectors in the area.

January 3

Two troopers belonging to 206 Combat CoBRA unit were injured when a pressure bomb planted by CPI-Maoist exploded, during a combing operation by the CoBRA troopers, in the forests under Chintagufa Police Station limits in Sukma District.

January 5

CPI-Maoist cadres stormed the residence of Chhattisgarh Congress leader Manturam Pawar and attacked his guards, injuring two of them at Pakhanjur in Kanker District. Manturam Pawar who is in Raipur confirmed the incident saying that he and his family were safe as Maoists couldn't barge inside the home.

January 6

A first-of-its kind 'battle field hospital' is being set up in Chintalnar area of Dantewada District which will provide immediate first aid to the injured CRPF and other SFs officials undertaking anti-CPI-Maoist operations.

Bhima Rao (40), a tribal of Rewali village in Dantewada District, was killed by 'unidentified persons.' Police had registered a case against "unknown, uniformed and armed Maoists" for killing Bhima on suspicion that he was a 'Police informer'.

January 8

After taking over as Chief of IB, Dineshwar Sharma has reached Chhattisgarh to work out strategies for containing Naxalism.

The ongoing probe into the 2013 killing of 27 Congressmen by CPI-Maoist at Jiram Ghati in Bastar District seems to have made a significant headway with the Police identifying the owner of the SIM card allegedly used by Maoists to track the movement of the Congress convoy in the area before targeting it.

Four Maoists, including a woman, identified as Sunita (27), Jagdish Potai (25), Sukhlal Potai (30) and Sona Singh surrendered in Kondagaon District while another Maoist identified as Kosa Kunjam (21) surrendered in Dantewada District.

January 9

A Police Constable, identified as Shankar Joshi, was hacked to death by CPI-Maoist cadres near a busy market place in Katekalyan town of Dantewada District.

Chhattisgarh Police have recovered a rare video footage of the Maoists purportedly showing their cadres conducting a 'commando-style' training to gun down helicopters, used to ferry security personnel and VIPs in Bastar region.

January 10

A Police constable was killed and three others were grievously injured in an encounter with the CPI-Maoist near Botha village under Hawrai Police Station in Narayanpur District.

The CPI-Maoist allegedly threatened sarpanches and panches of different villages near Badesetty village in Sukma District against participating in panchayat elections scheduled for January-end and February, 2015.

January 13

The Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has convened a Chief Ministers' conference in Raipur of eight Naxal-hit States to resolve the bottlenecks in construction of road networks in worst-affected Districts. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had taken up improvement of road connectivity in the 34 worst LWE--affected Districts, covering a total length of 5,477 km.

Congress leader Mahendra Karma, who spearheaded the anti-CPI-Maoist movement in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, was the main target of Maoists during the massive attack unleashed by them at Jheeram Valley that killed frontline Congress leaders in May 25, 2013, NIA stated in its final charge-sheet.

January 15

Around 130 Sarpanch aspirants were taken hostage by the Maoists on January 9 and released them in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The candidates were set free with a warning not to contest the ensuing rural local bodies elections. In the morning, CPI-Maoist 'divisional committee' member Jaggu, along with Kerlapal 'area committee 'commander' Bhime alias Reena, and armed cadres, reached there to warn them against participating in the elections before they were set free.

January 16

Seven CPI-Maoist sympathisers surrendered before authorities in Chhattisgarh.

January 17

According to a report, the Centre had lauded the increase in the number of surrenders by CPI-Maoist cadres in Chhattisgarh and termed it a major achievement but recent intelligence reports have revealed that several of them were not genuine. Sources said the Intelligence Bureau is unhappy with the manner in which the surrenders are taking place and has discussed the same with the CRPF, the force entrusted with the mandate of combating Maoist insurgency.

A jawan of the STF, identified as constable Mahendra Singh was killed in an encounter with Maoists in Sukma District. Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said that "A team of the STF and district police came under fire from the Maoists near Kondare village under Gadiras police station at around 3 p.m. when they were returning from a routine patrolling. The firing continued for next one hour. One STF constable died in the incident." There was no report of casualty on the Maoists' side.

January 17

CPI-Maoist cadres killed two villagers in a Kangaroo court after branding them as police informers in Narayanpur District.

Kin of frontline Congress leaders killed in May 25, 2013 Maoist attack have described the NIA probe as 'pedestrian' saying that the premier agency overlooked all aspects pertaining to security lapses that led to the massacre in tribal Bastar region.

January 19

A Maoist was killed in a gunbattle with Police in Bijapur District.

The Maoists have dropped pamphlets in several areas of Bastar region, opposing US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to India. The Maoists have called for boycott of President Obama's visit and a nationwide bandh on January 26.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has sought an additional fund from Centre for modernisation of Police in the Naxal-hit State and also demanded a special category status for the State.

January 20

Pankuj Thakur, a Constable with the 13th battalion of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force, was injured when a pressure bomb exploded near Murdonda village of Bijapur District.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a "Sahayak Arakshak" identified as Kichche Soya with sharp weapons at a marketplace at Pollamapalli area in Sukma District.

A joint team of Dantewada and Bijapur Police busted a Maoist camp in Hurrepal forests of Dantewada District.

Three Maoists surrendered before the Police in Dornapal town of Sukma District.

January 22

The CPI-Maoist has called a 'Dandakaranya bandh' on January 26 to protest US President Barak Obama's visit to India as the chief guest of the Republic Day function. In posters and pamphlets posted in different parts of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the Maoists termed the US the "biggest expansionist force" and "enemy of people all over the world."

January 23

The Maoists have appealed to the people to observe 'Virodh Diwas' on January 26 against US President Barack Obama's visit to India. Gadchiroli Police have recovered an anti-Obama banner at Kamlapur near Repanpalli last week. A press release, issued by the Maoist's DKSZC, also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting the US President.

January 24

The CPI-Maoist hijacked two buses and one pick up van carrying about 50 passengers and held them captive for two to three hours before releasing them near Katekalyan in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place between Paknaar and Katekalyan where the Maoists took these vehicles to an undisclosed destination in the forest. However, the vehicles were later found near Katekalyan Police Station. Sources said the Maoists had pasted posters in the area opposing US President Barack Obama`s India visit.

A Sarpanch candidate who was abducted along with more than a dozen other villagers by CPI-Maoist cadres on January 22 was killed in Parcheli village under Katekalyan Police Station area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The victim was identified as Somadu Markam. The other villagers were released by the Maoists.

January 25 - 26

The insurgency-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh witnessed intensified CPI-Maoist activities. The Maoists felled trees and dug up roads leading to traffic disruption. They damaged drill machine of the NMDC's Kirandul plant in Dantewada District and damaged National Highway 30 in the previous evening. The Maoists also abducted two passenger buses in Katekalyan area of Dantewada on January 24. The Maoists also damaged railway track between Kirandul and Bacheli town and opened fire on Chintagufa and Timilwada Police camps in Sukma District on January 26.

January 26

Terming Naxalism as a "disease" which is standing in way of development, Chhattisgarh Governor Balramjidas Tandon said the State would soon get rid of the Maoist menace completely. Addressing the 66th Republic Day function at Police line grounds, the Governor said "Some areas of Chhattisgarh are Naxalaffected. It is like a disease which is a hindrance to the development of the State." He said the State Government has accepted Naxalism as a challenge and with the coordinated efforts of Centre the menace will be wiped out soon. "I assure you, the day is not far when the state will be completely free of Naxal problem," he added.

A 50-ft tall Maoist memorial constructed in the dense forest of Machanar in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh has been demolished by SF personnel.

Marking the Republic day, the CRPF inaugurated two first of their kind 'battlefield' hospitals (One in Bijapur and the other at Chintalnar in Dantewada) in the Maoist hotbeds of Bastar in Chhattisgarh which will provide immediate first aid to injured security forces personnel undertaking anti-Maoist operations as well as locals in the area. The mini combat support hospital, aided with life sustaining and resuscitation gadgets, are the first operational medical facility for security troops operating in various Maoist affected states.

January 27

The first phase of panchayat polls will be held in Chhattisgarh amid tight security on January 28. "The preparations have been made for the first phase of polling for posts of 145 zilla panchayat members, 1,134 janpad panchayat members, 4,163 sarpanch and 36,745 panch," said secretary, state election commission, I R Dehari. "The polling parties are on the way to destination amid tight security," he said. The elections would decide the fate of 1,22,384 candidates. Of the total 55,53,149 registered voters, 27,99,756 are males and 27,53,393 females while there are 11,884 polling stations for the first phase, he said. While 3,916 polling stations have been identified as sensitive, 1,670 have been identified as hyper sensitive. Helicopters will be used to ferry polling staff to some hypersensitive stations. The polling time in the insurgency-hit Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur and Jagdalpur, Lohandiguda, Bastanar and Darbha blocks of Bastar district, Antagarh, Koyalibeda, Bhanupratappur and Durgkondal blocks of Kanker District, will be from 6.45 AM to 2 PM because of Naxal threat, and from 7 AM to 3 PM elsewhere.

The next phase is scheduled for February 2. Paper ballot will be used for the voting.

Maoists have asked the villagers to either support their candidates or boycott the elections. According to Police, the Maoists recently held meetings in the interior areas of Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur and Narayanpur Districts.

January 28

Maoists went on a rampage in Chhattisgarh during the first phase of panchayat polls which have already seen around 50% of the candidates elected unopposed in rebel-dominated Bastar, officials said. Rebels looted ballot boxes from around 30 booths in Sukma, Dantewada and Kanker in Bastar region. Besides, rebels also fired at a polling party in Kanker District. "No injury or causality was reported in the incident," IG (intelligence wing) Deepanshu Kabra said. According to state election commission sources, 12,524 panch, sarpanch and janpad panchayat members have been elected unopposed out of 24,611 posts in the seven Districts of Bastar.

The CPI-Maoist cadres disrupted polling at many places during the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat elections, plundering ballot boxes and targeting poling parties and security personnel. The Maoists plundered ballot boxes at 13 polling booths in Sukma District, two in Kanker District and six in Dantewada District of the Bastar region. The Police and Maoists exchanged fire near Chilparas and Markanar in Kanker District. The Police recovered two guns from the spot of the gunfight. Voting was peaceful in other parts of the State. Overall, 70 per cent polling was recorded.

January 29

Two Maoists were arrested by a joint contingent of CRPF and CAF during a search operation carried in the jungles of Purugudu under Awapalli Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested Maoists were involved in triggering a blast in Murdunda on January 21 wherein two CRPF personnel were injured, Police sources said adding they were lower member of the Naxal cadre.

January 31

A newly elected Sarpanch has reportedly been killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. SP, Dantewada Kamal Lochan Kashyap said that according to the information, Maoists have killed the Sarpanch Lakhma Siri at Toyalanka village. Lakhma had been elected unopposed in the recently-held panchayat elections, which had incurred him the wrath of the ultras, who had asked for boycott of polls.

February 1

Over 70 per cent of 3.37 million voters across 22 Districts of Chhattisgarh exercised their franchise in the second phase of panchayat polls. Though no major violence was reported, Maoists did manage to loot ballot boxes at some booths and disrupted voting at 24 polling stations.

February 2

A station house officer and an assistant constable of Chhattisgarh Police were killed and six other SF personnel, including an assistant commandant of BSF, injured when CPI-Maoist cadres ambushed a joint patrolling team in Kanker District.

February 3

Four persons, including a woman, were injured as a private passenger bus they were travelling in was hit by a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist in Narayanpur District. Some Police personnel were also on board, but they were not harmed.

A CRPF trooper was injured in a blast of 'pressure bomb' planted by the Maoists in the neighbouring Bijapur District. The incident took place near Cheramangi village under Awapalli Police Station limits while the CRPF was conducting anti-Maoist operation.

February 6

A six kilogram pressure bomb, planted by the CPI-Maoist to target SF personnel was recovered in Rajnandgaon District.

February 7

Six CPI-Maoist cadres including three female cadres were arrested by the BSF personnel during an operation conducted in forested patch near Prokal and Manhakal villages of Kanker District. The operation was conducted on specific intelligence input. The Maoists were identified as Sarita alias Sanoti (26), Rajeshwari (21), Kumari Santo (22), Mangatu alias Jay Singh (25), Raju Upendi and Shaniram.

February 8

Three CRPF personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, were injured when a pressure bomb laid by CPI-Maoist cadres exploded near Dubaiguda village under Awapalli Police Station area in Bijapur District.

February 9

Three CPI-Maoist cadres, one of them carrying a cash reward on his head, were arrested during an area domination exercise by security personnel in Bijapur District. The cadres were arrested by the district force from a forested patch under Bangapal Police Station limits, Bijapur SP KL Dhruv said. Those apprehended were identified as Barsa Sudru (38), Korsa Sudru (42) and Baisu Jurri (40), working as 'sangham' (lower rung cadres) members in Indravati 'area committee' of the CPI- Maoist. Korsa was carrying a reward of INR 5,000 on his head.

February 10

The four-phase panchayat elections in Chhattisgarh, which concluded on February 10, recorded an overall voter turnout of 77.71 per cent. "Voting was peaceful, free and fair, barring a few minor incidents. The overall percentage was better than expected. The Maoist-affected Bastar region witnessed 60 per cent polling," Chief Election Commissioner P.C. Dalai said. Re-polling was held at 109 places.

February 11

SFs have busted a CPI-Maoist training camp and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition besides material used for making explosives in forested Gonderas hills under Aranpur Police Station limits in Dantewada District. The cache included thirty seven gelatin rods, eleven detonators, two hand grenades, a country-made gun, a tiffin bomb, a pipe bomb, explosives, gun powder and materials used in making bombs, he said.

February 12

The CPI-Maoist called for a bandh in five states, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, on February 20 to protest the anti-people's activities of the State and Central governments. In a press release, the Maoists' Central Regional Bureau 'spokesperson' Pratap accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao as well as the CMs of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra of implementing destructive and anti-people policies. He said the bandh would be observed for 24 hours but emergency services would be exempted.

Acting on a tip off a joint team of DF and STF destroyed a CPI-Maoist training camp on the hills of Sopiras and Gonderas regions falling under Aranpur Police Station limits of Dantewada District. After receiving a tip off, a joint team of DF and STF raided the spot when the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire on them. The security personnel retaliated. Finally, the Maoists ran into the deep jungles.

The ITBP deputed to combat Maoists has taken up the task of teaching school children at a village in Rajnandgaon District. The children of the Madanwada village have got a new ray of hope with the initiative taken by the 'education cadres' of ITBP.

February 13

A Maoist 'section commander' identified as Sukhnath alias Oyami Chaitu was arrested by District Force in Dantewada District. He was carrying a cash reward of INR 800000 on his head and was involved in Tadmetla incident in which 75 CRPF personnel and a Chhattisgarh Policeman were killed in April 6, 2010.

February 16

A Chhattisgarh Armed Force Constable - Ram Prasad Negi - was killed while Shyam Kumar was injured when a pressure bomb went off allegedly set by CPI-Maoist cadres near Temelwada village under Jagargunda Police Station limits in Sukma District. The incident occurred when a Road Opening Patrol of SFs was returning after carrying out an operation in the region.

Acting on a tip off, a Maoist, identified as Chandraiya (35), carrying a reward of INR 5000 on his head was arrested from Old Bus Stand in Bijapur town of Bijapur District.

Around a thousand tribals, most of them armed with bows and arrows, gheraoed Tongpal Police Station in Sukma District demanding the release of a Maoist cadre. The villagers, including women and children, have been agitating in front of the Police Station since afternoon seeking the release of Maoist Hadma Deva, who was arrested last week, Tongpal's SHO Keshav Narayan Aditya said. Deva, carrying a reward of INR 2,000 on his head, was wanted in several Maoist incidents in the region and was arrested on February 13 from his native place at Jaimer.

Assistant constable Nehru Punem (40) was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District. Bijapur SP KL Dhruv said Punem was posted with Bodli outpost and while he was heading towards his workplace under Bandapal Police Station limits he was shot dead.

February 18

In a bid to roll out the NDA Government's new anti-Maoist policy, Chhattisgarh will hold its first Unified Command meet with focus on the Maoist bastion of Bastar where PM Narendra Modi Government has decided to launch a series of development initiatives and operations by SFs to flush out the Maoists. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh will chair the meeting of the Unified Command which will be attended by the top brass of the Central and State police forces as well as representatives of the UMHA.

Government-run telecom major BSNL would be installing 246 mobile towers in two phases in the CPI-Maoist-affected areas of Chhattisgarh to improve phone connectivity there. The decision was announced at a meeting of unified command for anti-Maoist operations, chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh. "It was informed in the meeting that BSNL has a target of installing 146 mobile towers in the first phase. Around 80 towers will be erected by March this year and 40 of them will start operating soon thereafter," an official said. The remaining towers will be installed by August-end. In the next phase, 100 towers would be installed.

Five Maoists, three of them carrying cash reward, surrendered in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh citing disappointment over exploitation of lower rank cadres and women by senior leaders. Among the surrendered Maoists, Somdu Ram Poyam (30), a 'divisional commander' rank cadre, was handling the 'communication wing' in Western Bastar division of Maoists. He was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head. Lacchuram Bhaskar (27) and Somaru Podiyami (22), who were carrying rewards of INR 300,000 and INR 100,000 respectively, are two other important rebels among the surrendered cadres. While Bhaskar was a 'deputy commander' of platoon number 2, Podyami was a local operation squad member (LOS). The rest - Lachhu Hemla (18) and Sukhram Podiyami (19) - were lower rung cadres and active in the region.

Three of worst Maoist-affected Districts in the country - Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada - in Chhattisgarh have only 44 bank and regional rural bank branches in total. Sukma and Bijapur have only 10 ATMs. Over 100 post office branches are non-functional. In Sukma, 13 mobile towers are non-functional, a Union home ministry data reveals. The data has been culled by Union home ministry after consulting the district magistrates of the three districts. "To make the benefits of an innovative financially inclusive scheme like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna reach the targeted people in these three districts, we need to have more bank branches there. All post offices need to be functional for their financial inclusion. The data showed Sukma has only four sub-post offices and all 61 branch post offices are non-functional. Bijapur has five sub post offices and 53 branch post offices but only two of them are functional. Dantewada has six sub post offices and 59 branch post offices. Nine of them don't have a single employee. In total 50% posts are lying vacant. In Sukma, out of five telephone exchanges, one is non-functional. In Bijapur, 14 mobile towers are functional but 14 new sanctioned towers are yet to be installed. In Dantewada, three out of 20 mobile towers are non-functional.

A civilian, identified as Boodu Ramesh, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Konta town under Konta Police Station limits of Sukma District, Chhattisgarh. He was killed on the charges of being a Police informer.

February 19

A STF trooper was killed in an encounter between SFs and Maoists at Dudhiras village under Gadiras Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.

The Maoists damaged a railway track near Kamalur Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh leading to the derailment of a goods train engine. The driver and helper of the engine suffered minor injuries in the accident. The Maoists have called for 'Dandakaranya Bandh' in five States across eastern and central India on February 20 in protest against the Polavaram Dam project and the "All-out war" by the Government of India to "flush out Maoists from Bastar region of Chhattisgarh."

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh said that due to the efforts of SFs, Maoist violence was close to its end in the State. He also lauded the efforts of the Police personnel, saying that they were fighting Maoists in difficult conditions. Singh said on Twitter "Our gallant police jawans and their sacrifice has brought us closer to the end of Naxalism."

February 20

Two Policemen - head constable Rajesh Sen and assistant constable Asharam Netam - were injured in a pressure bomb blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres near Emargunda village under Gangaloor Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The blast occurred when the security personnel were carrying out a combing operation in the area.

February 22

A CPI-Maoist cadre identified as Roop Singh (35), a militia cadre, carrying cash reward of INR 6000 on his head, was arrested under Bhairamgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District. He was arrested by a joint team of SFs during an area domination exercise, Bijapur SP KL Dhruv said.

The CPI-Maoist has accused the Bastar Police of killing 26 "civilians" and three "political workers" in fake encounters in the last one year in different parts of Bastar. In a press statement, the South Regional Committee 'secretary' of the CPI-Maoist, Ganesh Uike, alleged that 20 "civilians" were killed by the Police and paramilitary forces in Bijapur District of Bastar between January 2014 and January 2015. "Five civilians were killed in fake encounters in Sukma District, and one villager was killed by the Police in Dantewada District. All of them were later declared Maoists." He said three of his party workers - Jamali, Rambatti, Lakshmi - were also killed in staged encounters. "In the name of containing Maoism, security men are violating human rights of Bastar tribals," he added. However, Bijapur SP KL Dhruv termed the allegations "baseless and part of Maoist propaganda."

February 23

In a crucial meeting to combat CPI-Maoist menace, Police, CRPF and intelligence officials of five States have decided to launch an intensified joint operation on the border areas of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Official sources said the meeting held at Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar, reviewed and analyzed incidents and Maoist strategies and decided to make smooth and well connected co-ordination between inter-state Police and Security Forces, State Police and para-military forces against Maoist operations. It was indicated that anti-Maoist operations would begin on bordering regions targeting Khammam at Telangana, Koraput at Odisha, East Godavari region in Andhra Pradesh, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh's areas of Kanker, Bijapur, Sukma and Dantewada and those connecting to Abujhmad in Narayanpur region.

February 25

Two women CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Gadwa Masa and Masi Madavi, carrying rewards of INR 100000 each on their heads, surrendered before Bijapur SP KL Dhruv and 199th Battalion CRPF Commandant SS Upadhyay. They belonged to the Kiskodo area Local Guerrilla Squad of Kanker District.

February 26

Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Midiyam Badaru and Madkam Dula surrendered before Police at Dharmapenta camp in Sukma District. Badaru and Dula carried rewards of INR 800, 000 and 300, 000 each on their heads respectively. Badaru joined the movement in 2001, and worked for Bal Chetna Natya Mancha, LGS and Military Platoon-9 before becoming Platoon-2 'commander' of Military Company-2, Police said. He also worked with top Maoist cadres Ramanna, Paparao, Ganesh Uike Venkatesh, Hidama and Madhu and was active in Jagargunda, Kistaram, Golapalli in Sukma and Basaguda, Gangalur, Bhairamgarh areas of Bijapur. Dula joined the movement as Gram Raksha Dal member. He became Jonaguda Dandkaranya Kisan Majdoor Sangh President in 2004-05, Jan Militia member in 2008, and Basaguda 'deputy commander' in 2013-14. Dula worked with Maoist leaders Paparao, Jagdish, Arjun, and Hidma and was active in Jagargunda area of Sukma and Basaguda area of Bijapur.

February 27

Seven cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including two women, were arrested from separate places of the densely forested Gadiras Police Station limits in Sukma District. Based on specific inputs about the presence of the Maoists, a police team raided different villages in Gadiras region and rounded up. All of them were involved in an incident of firing at a police camp and looting polling materials during the recent panchayat (local body) polls in the region.

February 28

The government has hired two helicopters from a private firm to provide air support to SFs deployed in the jungles of Chhattisgarh and its border areas which are hotbeds of CPI-Maoist activities. A team of two Bell choppers has been based at Jagdalpur in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, which is among the worst Maoist violence-affected areas, for operations under the command of the Central Reserve Police Force

March 1

In a boost to the anti- CPI-Maoist operations, the base of UAV has been set up in Chhattisgarh. The aerial vehicle quietly made its first test-reconnaissance from an airstrip in the Bhilai Steel Plant campus on February 27. The UAV will have its base station at a location in Nandini village of Bhilai, as a joint team of NTRO and IAF will handle its operations. The UAV makes sorties over the forested zone of Dandakaranya and takes images useful in security operations. Now, the UAV's inputs will be streamed live at certain strategic locations, including Raipur Police Headquarters, offices of Police Superintendents of Maoist-hit districts and office of Bastar IG, among others. The UAV is likely to be connected with these offices within months.

March 2

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Madvi Bheema (30) and Hemla Aaytu, were arrested and cache of explosives were recovered from them during a combing operation at Budgicheru Nayapara village under Basaguda Police Station limits of Bijapur District. Pipe bombs and gelatin packets were seized from their possession. A contingent of DF and CAF arrested a hardcore Maoist from his house at Chatapalli village under Awapalli Police Station limits of Bijapur District. The insurgent was a SPO in the past and had run away with a SLR rifle in 2007. A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was shot dead in a gun-battle with SFs in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. "The rebel-- who is yet to be identified-- was killed in an exchange of fire between a joint team of security personnel and ultras in the restive Gadiras police station limits late last night," Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said. "A group of armed insurgents opened indiscriminate firing on them in a hilly area of Gadgad village last night following which security personnel retaliated," he said. Later, during search of the spot in the wee hours, the body of a woman Naxal in uniform was recovered along with a 12 bore gun, a pipe bomb, cartridges and other material, the ASP said.

March 4

Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested from Dantewada District. The arrested Maoists were identified as Bhansi Local Operating Squad 'commander' of Maoists military wing PLGA Hunga alias Sonaru, Motu alias Guddu Telam, the organiser of Bhansi LOS, Punem Kallu, who was a member of Maoists' military company no.2 and Ramesh Yadav. Dantewada Police in a press statement said that "Hunga was sent by senior Maoist leader Ganesh Uike to kill Badaru, a former Maoist and now a police constable in Dantewada." Punem Kallu carried a reward of INR 8,00,000 on his head and Hunga carried a reward of INR 5,00,000.

March 6

Intelligence inputs coming from CRPF and IB have suggested that the growing alienation among tribal population in various CPI-Maoist strongholds in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and parts of Bihar and Maharashtra has forced CPI-Maoist to order a study of socioeconomic impact of the central development schemes. The study has been ordered by the Eastern Regional Bureau of CPI-Maoist that supervises Maoist activities in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and North Chhattisgarh, sources said. The ERB has asked various state committees to undertake detailed study in villages and circulated a 19 column detailed pro-forma to be duly filled up by the surveyors. "The CPI (Maoist) has noted that if it has to spread and further revolution in the agrarian areas, it has to review its tactics in the light of socio-political and economic impact of the development schemes that have been there in the rural and tribal areas for the last two decades," said sources. In their internal communications, the Maoist's have blamed these programmes for weaning away village level activists as they got involved in various contractual works associated with these schemes. Besides initiatives like Rs. 2 per kg rice for poor and Saranda action plan succeeded in misguiding some of its active cadres and sowed seeds of discord among them, the intelligence inputs note. The confiscated documents also suggest that some Maoist leaders lament the lack of maturity on part of some of its senior leadership for being unaware of changing ground realities and need for a comprehensive survey from a Marxist perspective.

March 8

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two vehicles of a construction company deployed for construction of a road near Punnoor village in Bijapur District. A road-roller and a Hyva tipper were set on fire by insurgents during the evening hours while the labourers were engaged in construction of road located on Awapalli-Basaguda road.

Eight Maoists including two women insurgents surrendered before the Police in Bijapur District. The insurgents were identified as Shankar Poyam (30) of Bhairamgarh, Prakash Podiyami (20) of Nelsanar, Ramsu Tamo alias Katav (21) of Bhairamgarh, Munni Podiyami (30), Malti (20) from Dantewada, Vetti Aytu (42) and Mohan Vatti (27) both from Awapalli and Sukhram Hemla (29) hailing from Gangalur. SP, Bijapur, KL Dhruv informed that Shankar Poyam was member of Maoist military platoon number 16 and also President of Chetna Natya Mandali, one of the offshoots of the CPI-Maoist. "Shankar was appointed Naxal 'Militia Commander' active in Belnar in 2005. He was involved in triggering IED near village Bodli under Nelsanar Police Station in 2010 where two personnel of Naga Battalion had lost their lives. The insurgent had also killed Salwa Judum leaders," the SP said, adding, reward of INR 100,000 was declared on his head. Prakash Podyami, 'deputy commander' of Section-A of Maoist Military platoon number 1 was trained in handling automatic weapons and planting IED. The insurgent along with other Naxals had carried out ambush attack on a Police party in Bhatpal under Orcha Police Station wherein 3 Police personnel died. The State Government had declared reward of INR 300,000 on his head, he said. Ramsu Tamo who was 'Janmilitia Commander' active in Bhairamgarh was part of Naxal team which had attacked Police party in Farsegarh in 2012. Two Police personnel had martyred in the attack, he said adding Ramsu carried reward of INR 100,000 on his head. The other surrendered ultras used to support insurgents in operating Naxal activities in the region, the SP said.

March 10

Three suspected CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a joint search operation by SFs from dense Lingagiri forests close to Dharmapur village under Basaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Those arrested were identified as Uika Hunga (25), Uika Soma (37) and Uika Sudaru (20). During interrogation they "admitted being involved in the Maoist movement as "sangham" members".

March 11

A newly elected sarpanch and a villager were hacked to death by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District. "Suchcham Hidma, sarpanch of Gollapalli, and Punem Pandu of Pollampalli were allegedly abducted by Maoists on March 7 along with six other villagers from different parts of the District. Hidma and Pandu were killed while the others were released after some warning," Sukma District Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Singh said.

CPI-Maoist perpetrated violence has declined in the country from 1,000 killings during 2008, 2009 and 2010 to about 300-odd now, K. Vijay Kumar, Special Security Adviser, the UMHA, said in VIT University in Vellore. "This is a sign that two-third violence has come down. But that does not mean that they (Maoists) are incapable of causing hiccups and giving surprises," he said. He further said there were two to three Maoist-affected States that were being concentrated upon. "Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand contribute about 30 per cent each that is two-third in the country. The Governments are trying to tighten efforts here," he pointed out.

SFs arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres and seized a cache of arms and explosives after busting a temporary camp of Maoists close to Chipurbhatti village under Basaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District.

March 14

Eleven CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before the Police in Bijapur District. They were identified as Kursum Sankar (30), Kursum Aayti (28), Jaysingh Netam (28), Punem Mangu alias Mallesh (28), Madvi Nanda alias Rajesh (30), Korsa Mangu alias Budram (27), Modiam Badru (22), Modiam Ramu alias Rakesh (22), Kursum Soma (35), Avlam Soma alias Sunil (35) and Oyam Sukku (26).

March 16

CPI-Maoist cadres brutally thrashed a Police officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector Maheshwar Dewangan, posted at Polampalli Police Station in Sukma District. ASP Harish Rathore said Dewangan was heading for the Police Station in a taxi from Dornapal to rejoin the duty after a vacation. He was in civil dress and unarmed. About a dozen armed Maoists stopped the taxi near Gorguda village, asked Dewangan to get down, and beat him with sticks before leaving him bleeding at the spot, Rathore said.

March 23

Suspected Maoists attacked a vehicle carrying rations for CRPF personnel posted in Sukma District near Burkapal area of the District, The Maoists took away the entire rations.

March 24

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a person, identified as Yalam Abaiya (45), near the Pujaripara area of Anganpalli village in Bijapur District.

Maoists killed Constable Krishnalal Dhurtlahare in Dantewada District.

A CRPF Constable was injured in a pressure bomb blast engineered by CPI-Maoist cadres near Mordunda village in Bijapur District. The incident occurred when a road opening party was working under the Awapalli Police Station area, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

March 27

Two personnel of the CRPF were injured in a bomb blast during a combing operation near Fundari village in the Bairamgad block in Bijapur District. Sub-Inspector Debi Ray and constable Ram Hari Patil of the CRPF's 199 battalion were injured when they came in contact with the pressure bomb planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres, the Bijapur Police said.

March 30

A section of top guerrilla leaders of Western regional committee of the CPI-Maoist, during a marathon meeting with the scribes at an undisclosed location on Chhattisgarh border last week, claimed that exploitation of iron ore in Surjagarh hills of Gadchiroli District in Maharashtra would bring irreparable adverse consequences on the adjoining villages.

March 31

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and a CoBRA commando, identified as Satpal, was injured in a face-off between the SFs and the Maoists near Chintagufa village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The CoBRA team recovered a dead body and a SLR with two magazines from the encounter spot.

A Maoist, identified as Suklu Ram Tulawi, was arrested and weapons were recovered from him at Aampayali hills under Aundhi Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh.

CAG raised doubts over the veracity of Chhattisgarh forestry and wildlife department's claim of executing works worth INR 21.1 million relating to harvesting of bamboo, in Maoist affected Districts of Bijapur, Narayanpur, Sukma and Dantewada. In its report, CAG questioned how the work of harvesting bamboo was undertaken between 2008-09 and 2012-13 when villagers of some of these areas had refused to enter the forests to work due to fear of Maoists. The report states that the expenditure of INR 21.1 million incurred on the RDBF, soil and water conservation was doubtful.

April 1

Five employees of Jayaswal's Neco Company and few locals including drivers and machine operators were abducted and later released by about 10 armed CPI-Maoist cadres from Chargaon, Metabodli iron ore mines in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. One of them was released soon after abduction while others were released in evening. Maoists had targeted to abduct important and senior officers but didn't succeed therefore released all of them. Maoists apparently opposed construction of roads and mining in the region and the supervisors and managers were out on inspection when the incident took place.

The villagers of Chintagufa from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh have claimed that the person killed in an encounter with the CRPF's CoBRA team on March 31 was "an innocent villager" and not a "Maoist".

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze ten vehicles - eight tractors, a truck and a JCB machine - near Iragaon under Dhanora Police Station limits in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh, in a bid to disrupt road construction work. Around 12-15 armed Maoists, clad in black uniforms, stormed the place with kerosene and asked construction workers to leave the site and set ablaze the vehicles. While six tractors belong to locals, the rest of them were belonged to a construction firm.

April 2

Two personnel of the DF were injured as CPI-Maoist cadres opened fire on a Police team following a blast in a forested patch under Antagarh Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh.

April 3

A team of CRPF detected and defused seven bombs, suspected to be planted by the Maoists, during demining exercise from Gangloor Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The bombs were immediately diffused.

In a separate action a joint team of CRPF and District Police which had started on an Anti-Naxal operation got information about presence of Maoists in Karrepara village under Bhairamgarh Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh and arrested four Maoists. Materials used in making pressure bombs were seized from their possession.

April 4

After over six-month delay, two new advanced military choppers have landed in India to be inducted into the elite air wing of the BSF, which is tasked to carry air support missions for troops along the borders and in the hinterland for anti-Naxal operations. The Russian-made Mi-17 V5 choppers will boost the flying capability of CPMF that are deployed for a variety of internal security tasks in some of the most arduous and inhospitable conditions at numerous locations. The official said the choppers have been initially based at the BSF hangar at Safdarjung airport in New Delhi, and are expected to be formally inducted into the fleet by UHM Rajnath Singh on April 9. The new pair, sources said, is expected to be tasked for anti-Naxal operations and with their new bases in Chhattisgarh (Jagdalpur) and Odisha (Koraput).

April 5

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed during an exchange of fire with SFs in the jungles of Sargipal in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. After the gun battle, the body of a Maoist, yet to be identified, was recovered. A 303 rifle, live ammunition, Tiffin bomb, wire, pipe bomb, medicines and daily use items were also recovered.

Three Maoists, identified as Lachin alias Ramesh Poyam (30), Budhram Vadhda alias Ratti (22) and Somaru Poyam alias Sukhlal (40) - all residents of Narayanpur, surrendered before the Police in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Ramesh and Budhram carried cash reward of INR 800,000 each on their heads, ASP, Narayanpur, O P Sharma said. Ramesh was the 'deputy commander' of Maoist Military Company-6 and 'commander' of Platoon-1 under Company-6. Budhram was active member of Section-B under Platoon-2 of Company-1. The ASP further informed that Somaru Poyam was working as President of Ikmeta Jantana Sarkar.

CPI-Maoist claimed that a Police constable has 'surrendered' before it. "Michche Vadda, 37, a Police constable posted in the Farasgav Police Station in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh, has surrendered before the Kutul area Janatana Sarkar of the CPI (Maoist). He worked for the Police for more than 10 years since 2005. He was being harassed by his senior officers and was pained over the continuous atrocities by security forces on the tribal people in Bastar," said a statement issued by Rajmand Mandavi, secretary of the Mad divisional committee of the outlawed CPI-Maoist. Vadda went missing on March 13 on a visit to his village Kutul. The Police believed that he had been "abducted." However, the Maoists claimed that he had surrendered "willingly" with his wife Manju on March 29.

April 6

The Maoists dug several pits at various places on the roads between Burkapal and Chintalnar near Dornapal and Jagargunda in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh and blocked the road traffic for several hours until Police cleared the way filling the pits.

April 7

A group of heavily armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist abducted a Police constable at gunpoint from his official vehicle while he was on his way to district headquarters at a stretch between Bijapur and Bhopalpatnam. The abducted constable has been identified as Veera Basant, a DF personnel who is posted with Awapalli Police Station in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.

Six Maoists, including two carrying reward money of INR 800,000 and INR 500,000, were arrested from separate places in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada District. One of the arrested Maoists, identified as Baman, who worked as an active member in platoon number 2 of military company 2 of the CPI-Maoist, was nabbed from Kawadgaon village under Katekalyan Police Station limits. He was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head. Another cadre Aaytu alias Linga nabbed from Metapal village, was deployed as Bhairmagarh LGS of CPI-Maoist. He was carrying a reward of INR 500,000. Besides, Ghasiya alias Joga and Sodhi Sanna, who were carrying rewards of INR 100,000 each on their heads, were nabbed from Kuwakonda Police Station limits. Two janmilitia members - Bheema Kunjam and Hurra Kunjam are others among arrested.

April 9

The District Police arrested five cadres of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Pinesh, Somaram, Dashrath, Maniram and Ramprasad, from the forest of Badrangi in Antagrah block in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Police seized arms and ammunition, muzzle gun, two single barrel gun, three mobile batteries, LED connector wire, crackers, a 7-kg LED container, 500 gram lime stone, a plastic carry bag, pamphlets among other things from the arrested Maoists.

Hundreds of villagers in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh carried out a "silent march" and appealed to the Maoists to release the abducted Police constable Bira Basant.

The farmers having their land near rivers and nullahs in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh would get power lines near their farms to enable them run their irrigation pumps. Power connections would make the farmers able to run their irrigation pumps to enhance farm productivity in the region, said District Collector K C Devsenapati in a meeting.

April 10

Maoist rebels torched an under construction police station in Mudhia Mohara village in Dongargarh are in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. According to the Police, about 30-40 armed Maoists reached the under construction site at around 11:30 pm and poured kerosene in the building and set it on fire. They also assaulted the watchman who was guarding the building and took away his cell phone. They also put up banners and pasted posters on the spot protesting against the Security Forces and policies of the State Government.

April 11

Seven members of a STF, including its Commandant, were killed and 10 others injured when their platoon, on a routine search operation in the interiors of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh was ambushed by CPI-Maoist. ADGP anti-Naxalite operations, R.K. Vij said that the Maoists ambushed the STF Platoon of 100 men, led by Commandant Shankar Rao, near Pidmal village. The STF men killed have been identified as Constables Rohit Sori, Manoj Baghel and Mohan Uike; and Constables Rajkumar Markam, Kiran Deshmukh and Rajman Netam.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh strongly condemned the Maoist attack. "The security personnel have laid down their lives to free Bastar from violence and Maoist terror. Their sacrifice will not go in vain," the Chief Minister said. "Maoists are frustrated due to increasing pressure of security forces in the region and fear that they will lose ground. This cowardly act is the outcome of their frustration," he said.

April 12

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist attacked a BSF team killing a trooper in Chhattisgarh's Kanker District, striking for the third time since April 11. Maoists fired indiscriminately on BSF personnel who were patrolling in the proximity of Chhote Baithiya BSF camp under Bande Police Station area.

The Maoists set ablaze at least 17 vehicles engaged in mining work in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Armed Maoists attacked the Barbaspur iron ore mining site under the limits of Korar Police Station and after threatening the labourers, torched 17 trucks deployed for mining work. They then fled into the forest.

More than 24 hours after the attack, Police retrieved the bodies of seven STF personnel killed on April 11 in a Maoist ambush in Polampalli forests in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh.

The team of 49 STF men which got ambushed in Polampalli on April 11, had reportedly not informed senior police officers based in Bastar and Sukma before embarking on an operation which eventually proved "suicidal." Bastar range IG of Police, S.R. Kalluri was on leave and had gone out of Chhattisgarh because of a death in his family. Kalluri maintained that it was "a standalone STF operation" without any participation of the District police or the CRPF. "Platoon Commander Shankar Rao had called SDPO Dornapal that night, who asked him to speak to the SP. The SP did not have any discussion with Shankar Rao before he left for the operation," claimed Kalluri.

ADGP, R.K. Vij who is in charge of the STF, however said that there was "some discussion" between Sukma SP D. Srawan and Shankar Rao before the operation. "But there will be an inquiry into this and we will look into it," Vij added.

Speaking to a local TV channel at a Jagdalpur hospital, Ranjeet Kumar, a trooper who was wounded in the encounter, said, "We were attacked thrice even after running for over two kilometres. They [Maoists] must have been more than 400 and the ambush was spread over three kilometres."

SFs recovered a 10 kg IED, suspected to be planted by the Maoists, from Kutrunala near Cholnar area in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

Terming the Pidmal ambush - in which the Chhattisgarh STF lost its seven personnel - among the "greatest battle" it ever fought, the Police claimed to have "killed at least 20 Maoists in retaliation". The Police also defended the action of the platoon commander, Shankar Rao, who had left at around 2.30 am on April 11 with a team of 49 personnel from Polampalli police station in Sukma, and said he did what was needed at that moment. The forces, however, could not recover any Maoist body. The STF team also retreated leaving the bodies of its personnel behind, which could be recovered only 30 hours later.

April 13

The CPI-Maoist cadres blew up an Anti-Landmine Vehicle of the Chhattisgarh Police, killing five personnel in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. "Maoists targeted an Anti-Landmine Vehicle which was on a search operation near Khudiyapara village of Dantewada around 2.30 p.m. on Monday. The vehicle was carrying 12 jawans of the CAF and the District Police, including the driver. Dantewada SP reached the spot immediately after the encounter and rushed the injured jawans to Kirandul hospital. However, four jawans died in the hospital," said a statement issued by the Chhattisgarh Police headquarters in Raipur. Another jawan succumbed to injuries while being taken to Jagdalpur for treatment, taking the toll to five. Seven jawans were injured, an officer posted in Bastar said.

Dantewada District SP Kamal Lochan Kashyap said, "Guerrillas triggered a powerful blast near a culvert, targeting the mine-protected vehicle. Rebels used 100 kg of explosives. Magnitude of explosion was so intense that the 50-tonne anti-landmine vehicle was tossed in the air and fell upside down." The blast left an 18-foot deep crater on the ground and rifles, guns and explosives lay strewn around. It seemed the trap was laid afresh as connecting wire that connected explosives at a distance of 150 metres looked new. "After the blast, Maoists resorted to indiscriminate firing to inflict heavy casualties on security forces," he said. Explosions and subsequent gunshots alerted security forces at nearby Cholnar camp, who rushed to the site.

April 14

Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from the forest near Kalepal village in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh and seized a Tiffin bomb weighing 3 kilograms from their possession. The arrested have been identified as Deva Kunjam and Joga Markam, both residents of village Arve. Kunjam is DAKMS President and Markam is Sangham member.

April 15

Continuing their offensive against SFs in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the CPI-Maoist cadres killed auxiliary constable Bira Basant in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. His body was found on Gangaloor-Bijapur road with Maoists' pamphlets strewn around.

April 20

Three cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including a woman cadre, surrendered in Malkangiri District of Odisha. The rebels, identified as Irma Kabasi, Era Madkami and Radhika, were carrying a reward of INR 100,000 each on their heads. They are allegedly involved in over 29 cases related to murder, landmine blasts, attacks on Police and other offences. Kabasi was allegedly involved in the attack on a convoy of Congress leaders at Darbha Valley in Chhattisgarh in 2013, while the other two were active in Kalimela area of Malkangiri.

The CPI-Maoist took responsibility for the attack on the STF in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on April 11, which resulted in the killing of seven STF men and left 10 grievously wounded. In a press release from its South Bastar Divisional Committee, it refuted Chhattisgarh police’s claims that 20 Maoists were killed in the encounter.

A press release from Sukhdev Konde, the secretary of the North Bastar Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist, termed the strike on the BSF camp on April 12 in Chhote Betiya village of Kanker District of Chhattisgarh as an “audacious attack.” “The attack was in response to the government’s plan to put up a carpet of camps across Bastar. Sixteen new camps have come up in Bastar in the last six months. But the main aim of this plan is to snatch water, land and forests from the tribals,” said Konde while admitting that Maoist leader Dasmen Salam alias Vikas was killed in the attack which also resulted in the death of a BSF head constable.

April 21

A CPI-Maoist cadre, who had surrendered soon after the April 11 gun battle between STF and Maoists at Pidmal village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, claimed that 35 Maoists were killed and 15 injured in the retaliatory gun-battle. Janmilitia Commander of CPI-Maoist Sori Rama alias Kanna Karigundam said in a statement to Police that the dead Maoists included battalion ‘deputy commander’ Situ and Konta ‘area committee secretary’ Arjun. The duo was among the three seniors who planned the attack. Sori's job was to patrol between Pidmal and Dabbakonta camps along with seven other members. "There were around 250 Maoists including 20-25 women comrades," he added. Sori said that Maoist ‘commander’ Nagesh, who was among leaders of the operation, was heard saying that 35 comrades were killed and it was a big loss. Sori added that Nagesh had also mentioned that this information shouldn't be leaked before Police, public or government. A day earlier, Maoists, through a press statement, condemned Police's claim of killing more than 20 rebels. South Bastar divisional committee of the rebels had taken responsibility of the attack. "Police officers had to run for their lives for more than 10km till Kankerlanka," the release stated.

The Dantewada Police arrested a person, identified as Pukhraj Chandak, a resident of Geedam in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, who was allegedly carrying fabric to be used for uniforms of the CPI-Maoist cadres. Around 220 metre of Raymond fabric was seized from Chandak. Police said Chandak had been acting as a Maoist courier and had earlier supplied them medicines, ration, uniforms and other material.

April 22

Four members of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Police in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The surrendered Maoists are identified as Veko Moti alias Poyam Sarita, the LGS ‘commander’, Poyam Bomda alias Anil, the LOS ‘commander’ of Maoists in Telangana and Kurham Pandu and Arjun Voyami, who worked for Maoists in Chhattisgarh, surrendered before Bastar range IG of Police S.R. Kalluri.

April 23

Dharmu Yadav (26), ‘section commander’ of military company-6 of the CPI-Maoist, was killed in an encounter between Maoists and the Police in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The gun-battle took place in the forests near Matwal village under Mardapal Police Station limits when a team of District Police was carrying out a search operation. On sensing Police near the village, a group of armed rebels indiscriminately fired at them following which the SF personnel retaliated. However, the ultras soon fled to the dense forest on finding SF personnel zeroing-in on them. During a search, the body of Yadav in uniform along with a pistol and four live cartridges were recovered. Yadav, carrying reward of INR 800,000 on his head, was active in Narayanpur and Kondagaon Districts.

April 24

A Darbha janpad panchayat member, who was abducted by CPI-Maoist on April 21, was found dead in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Panduram (42) was found at Chingur Nullah in Tulsi Dongri area under Darbha Police Station limits. Panduram was abducted along with his assistant Sanat Sethiya on April 21 from his native place Koleng by a group of armed Maoist cadres. However, Sethiya was later released on April 23. Condemning the incident strongly, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said that it was a "cowardly" act by Maoists. "Panduram used to work for the development of villages and people with great dedication. He was an active and hard working representative," Singh said in his condolence message.

A woman Maoist ‘deputy commander’, carrying a reward of INR 300,000 on her head, was arrested from the forests in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested rebel has been identified as Shanti Kovachi, ‘deputy-commander’ of LOS active in Madanwada-Kodekhurse region on Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border. Based on specific inputs that Kovachi was hiding in Amakodo-Pitameta forests under Sitagaon Police Station limits, a joint squad of District Force, STF and ITBP, was sent to the spot and arrested Kovachi. One walkie talkie, Naxal literature, a bag, medicines and other commodities of daily use were also recovered from her possession.

April 25

The CPI-Maoist appealed to the masses in their strongholds of Central India's hinterlands to observe 'protest week' between April 26 and May 1 against the land acquisition bill. The rebels have claimed that there would be violent opposition if government compels farmers to surrender land. The CPI-Maoist has appealed for agitation issuing a press note. DKSZC of the CPI-Maoist in Central India' Gadchiroli and parts of Chhattisgarh, has urged the people to organize various forms of protests including road blockade and agitating at government offices against the land acquisition bill. The rebels, in their press release, have lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for trying to enforce an anti-peasant enactment to usurp their ancestral properties on the pretext of development. The Maoist rebels have also stated that Modi is trying to hand over country's resources to the foreign corporate companies under various schemes.

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze vehicles and machines deployed in construction of road from Godalbay to Kamar Bhaudi village under Piparchedi Police Station limits in Gariaband District of Chhattisgarh. According to Police, the incident happened under Piparchedi Police Station limits when some armed ultras reached the spot and set ablaze a JCB machine, water tanker and road roller deployed in the construction work. Soon after the incident the Maoists ran away from the spot threatening not to resume construction work, Police said. No casualty or injury incident was reported and a case was registered with Piparchedi Police Station in this connection.

April 27

The CPI-Maoist warned lower rung Policemen working in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh to leave their jobs or "get killed at the hands of PLGA guerrillas." In a press statement issued by Madhavi, secretary of the West Bastar Divisional Committee of the Maoists, the CPI-Maoist took responsibility for the killing of Constable Bira Basant, who was abducted on April 7 and found dead two weeks later in Bijapur District. Blaming the State government and the Bijapur Police for the death of Bira, the Maoist leader claimed that the District Police did not initiate a dialogue for his release. "Instead, the police pressured locals and schoolchildren to organise protest rallies against us. Our party's policy does not allow us to kill unarmed policemen. We have freed many jawans, who did not carry weapons. However, we cannot spare those who knowingly take part in inflicting atrocities on the people. Bira was one such policeman," said Madhavi. "Bira's killing should serve as a warning to all local and lower rung policemen working in Bastar. Stop fighting for corporates who are here to snatch tribal land. Take up any other job other than policing if you want to stay in Bastar. Otherwise be ready to die at the hands of the PLGA," warned the Maoist leader.

April 29

CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a passenger bus near Chingavaram village under Gadiras Police Station limits in Sukma District. No passenger was hurt in the incident as the Maoists asked passengers to get off the bus before setting it on fire. According to Police sources, around 30 to 40 'armed' Maoists stopped the bus of RBMT Travels Company, asked all the passengers to vacate the bus and smashed the diesel tank of the vehicle. The Maoists also left some banners nearby after setting the bus on fire, warning owners of passenger vehicles in the area against providing vehicles to the Police.

May 1

A hardcore CPI-Maoist 'commander', identified as Phool Singh, carrying reward of INR 500,000 on his head was killed while another was arrested following an encounter between Maoists and Police in forests under Ghanora Police Station limits in Kondagaon District. Singh was the 'commander' of Barda dalam of the CPI-Maoist. The arrested Maoist was identified as Rakesh, 'commander' of Antagarh dalam. SFs recovered body of the Maoist along with two hand grenades, Maoist literature, documents, diaries, medicines and commodities of daily use from the spot. State Government had declared reward of INR 500,000 on the head of killed Maoist Phool Singh and Rakesh also carried reward of INR 500,000 on his arrest. However, according to The Hindu, the reward Phool Singh carried was INR 1.5 million.

May 2

A senior woman cadre of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Kamla Dhruv alias Santoshi (22), who carried a reward of INR 200,000 on her head, was arrested near Mugaltola village in Kanker District. Police officials claimed that Santoshi was involved in major insurgency-related incidents including killing, loot, kidnapping, arson, damage to public property and deadly attack on para-military troopers as well as on Chhattisgarh Police personnel. Santoshi was earlier working as an active member of Korar Area Committee of the CPI-Maoist and later she was promoted to the rank of 'Deputy Commander' Kiskoda LOS.

May 4

Two brothers, identified as Kunja Brahmaiah and Kunja Seetaramaiah, native of Burakanakota village falling in limits of Chituru Police Station [East Godavari District] of Andhra Pradesh, were brutally hacked to death by CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District. “Branding the duo as police informers, rebels brutally killed them in a Jan Adalat held at Durma village under Konta police limits,” ASP Sukma, Santosh Singh said. Preliminary investigation revealed that both were kidnapped on May 1 from their village which is near Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border. Prima-facie it seems that the victims may have subjected to severe torture before they were killed, the ASP added.

A suspected Maoist, identified as Raje Singh, was arrested during a search operation carried out by SFs at Davdi Salhebhata village near Udanpur base camp of BSF in Kanker District.

Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante group) founder Mahendra Karma’s son Chhavindra Karma and former leaders of the anti-Maoist militia formed “Vikas Sangharsh Samiti” in Dantewada District, which will carry forward the work of Salwa Judum in Bastar.

A 17-layer security will cover Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he will address a public meeting at the District headquarters town of Dantewada in south Bastar region, scheduled on May 9.

The CPI-Maoist has called for a boycott of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chhattisgarh visit. In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Gudsa Usendi, the party has asked the locals to intensify its “militant” struggle against the BJP-led governments at the State and the Centre.

May 5

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered four back-to-back explosions in Bijapur District, injuring one CRPF personnel. According to the Bijapur Police, the explosions took place when a joint team of the CRPF and District Police from the Matawada Police camp was going towards Jangala village on an area domination exercise.

May 6

Two top CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Rajman Korram (26) of Padeli under Mardapal Police Station limits and Govind Netam (30) of Madanaar under Bayanaar Police Station limits, wanted in several Naxal violence cases, surrendered before the Police in Kondagaon District. Korram, Company Number-6 member and Netam, Bayanaar Local Operating Squad and Kuanaar Area Committee member were wanted in several cases including murder, attacks on Police, loot, arson, attempt to murder and other crimes, said Kondagaon SP Abhishek Meena. While Korram was carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head, Netam was carrying a reward of INR 500,000 on his head.

May 7

The PUDR has condemned Chhattisgarh Police’s “threat” of taking severe action against “certain” NGOs in Chhattisgarh for allegedly aiding and abetting the CPI-Maoist cadres under the guise of helping tribal people. At a recent press conference in Bastar, Inspector General of Police S.R. Kalluri said that many such organisations were under surveillance. The IGP’s list of suspicions activities included providing legal assistance to Naxalites — a thinly veiled reference to the Jagdalpur Legal Aid group, a small NGO working in Bastar to provide free legal aid to the Tribal people, many of whom are falsely implicated in cases of Naxal activities,” a PUDR statement said.

A day before PM Narendra Modi's Dantewada visit, the Maoists have yet again marked their presence in protest against the PM's visit by putting up banners and pasting pamphlets appealing people to observe two-day 'Mahabandh' (great shutdown strike) in Sukma District. In the pamphlets pasted in large numbers in Jagardunga-Dornapal region, the Maoists have boycotted the PM's visit and Chhattisgarh Government's ongoing ‘Loksuraj Abhiyan’ (public meeting campaign). Sukma SP D Shravan said that lots of pamphlets and posters were found in Jagargunda-Dornapal region against PM's visit to Bastar but it was a common practice that Maoists follow to mark their presence during such grand events. "But roads in my jurisdiction are all clear without hindrance," he added. Many trees were also felled at Pakhanjur-Bhanupratappur route in Kanker District, to disrupt traffic and movement of vehicles.

A multi-layered security blanket has been put in place in Dantewada District before the PM’s visit. “Around 10,000 paramilitary forces apart from State's armed and Special Forces, involved in anti-Naxal operations, are part of the watertight security measures for the PM's visit in Dantewada," a senior State Police official monitoring security arrangement said.

May 9

PM Narendra Modi will visit CPI-Maoist affected Dantewada District on May 9 to take stock of socio-economic development initiatives being taken there. Two mega projects for setting up of ultra mega steel plant and second phase of Rowghat-Jagdalpur railway line will be inaugurated during the visit, state government officials said. The PM will be visiting an education city, aimed at providing education to under-privileged children living in the area.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed one person and released 300 others held hostage by them in Sukma District. The Maoists had rounded up hundreds of residents of Morenga village in Sukma District on May 8, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on May 9 to launch several development projects in nearby Dantewada District, another hotbed of Maoist insurgency. “The rebels killed one villager identified as Sadaram who used to coordinate the construction activities of a bridge. He was killed in a “Jan Adalat” (kangaroo court) held by Maoists. Around 300 tribals returned to their village at around 9 pm”, Sukma District Superintendent of Police (SP) D Sharawan said. Maoists in Dantewada had called a two-day bandh (shut down strike) and asked villagers to boycott PM Modi’s visit.

Eearlier in the day, addressing a rally in Dantewada District, PM Modi said “The macabre drama of death will end," referring to violence by Moaists in the mineral-rich state. A lot of people were killed by "mad men on the path of violence", he added.

May 10

The CPI-Maoist has threatened a violent backlash against any attempt to re-launch the controversial Salwa Judum campaign — arming villagers to take on the Maoists.

May 11

Chhattisgarh Government has written to UMHA seeking Nagaland's Indian Reserve Battalions, especially for the worst-hit Bastar region. Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "Experience shows that Nagaland battalions were very useful in fighting the Naxalites. They are very good at jungle warfare."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has said "The Constitution does not allow deployment [Army] against our own people, and neither does my heart. For the sake of argument, if the Army is deployed, the issue [Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) insurgency] can be solved in four hours. But this should never happen".

Reacting to suggestions made by some local leaders about the revival of the Salwa Judum, albeit under a different avatar, Singh said the issue - of local villagers being brought to the forefront in the fight against Maoists - was a "highly sensitive" one. If villagers, alongside Security Forces, were to tackle Maoists head-on in the open, the Government would have to ensure their protection, Singh told.

May 12

Two 'commanders' of the CPI-Maoist belonging to the PLGA, who were declared "shot dead" in Sukma encounter on April 11, have issued a press statement refuting Police claims about the encounter and claimed that both of them are "safe and healthy". "We are absolutely fine and healthy. We are working with the revolutionary public in Sukma as usual. Neither of us were injured nor dead in Pidmed encounter (in Sukma) last month," said PLGA Battalion No.1 'commander' Situ and Konta 'area committee secretary' Arjun in a joint press statement.

A Maoist identified as Baman Kunjan (25), working as 'militia commander' of Tikanpal village, was arrested by the Police during a search operation in Dantewada District. Kunjan was allegedly involved in the attack on anti-landmine vehicle on Cholnar-Kirandul road in Dantewada on April 13, thereby leaving five Policemen killed and eight others injured, SDOP Kirandul MZ Baig informed. Naxal pamphlets were recovered from his possession.

May 13

A tiffin bomb, planted by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist to target the SFs, was recovered on a road under the Kondagaon Police Station limits in Kondagaon District. The steel container packed with 10-kilograms of explosive was found under a pile of gravel on the road connecting Hangwa Tiraha to Totar.

May 14

Para-military troopers during a search operation conducted at Hatkarra forest village in Kanker District, arrested a tribal woman, identified as Amita Dhruv alias Amit (22), for her alleged links with CPI-Maoist. On receiving a specific input that Maoists have taken refuge in the forest areas of the village, a Police patrol party was heading towards Hatkarra, when it came across Amita, daughter of Tulsi Ram, a resident of Katholi Mangrutola under Korar Police Station limits. According to the Police, on spotting the patrol party, Amita had run for cover which made the Police personnel suspicious and they arrested her. Amita was allegedly involved in various serious crimes, including arson, attacks and several other unlawful activities, Police said.

May 17

Three Policemen and two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter in Bijapur District. The encounter took place early in the morning near Ponjed at Mirjur in Gangaloor Police Station area where a team of STF and District Police Force was conducting an anti-Maoist operation. STF Constable Sitaram Kunjam and Assistant Constable of the District Force Moti Ram were killed on the spot. Another Constable Payku Ram Poyam succumbed to his injuries while he was being taken to Jagdalpur. Among the Maoist killed was a senior guerilla fighter Hemla Masa alias Vijay, 'commander of Company 2' of West Bastar Division of CPI-Maoist. ADG (Naxal Operations), R K Vij, said: "Fifteen rounds of AK-47, nine shells of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, a 12 bore rifle and a wireless set were recovered from him." Speaking on rebel presence in the area, Vij said the area was "highly-affected". "Our team had gone for an operation when the Maoists opened fire at them. Our jawans retaliated. We have recovered bodies of two uniformed Maoists," he added.

May 18

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Police in Bijapur District of South Chhattisgarh. Maoists’ Bangapal platoon no.2 ‘commander’ Mantu Gonde alias Motu, ‘section commander’ Savita Sodhi, Military ‘platoon commander’ Ramsingh, Kondagav Military ‘platoon commander’ Fuldev and Kanker Sangham member Rajeshwari laid down their arms in presence of Bastar IG of Police and other senior Police and CRPF officials in Bijapur, claimed the Police. Mantu Gonde and his wife Savita Sodhi carried a reward of INR 800,000 each whereas Fuldev and Ramsingh carried a reward of INR 200,000 each.

The UMH Rajnath Singh may soon visit Sukma District on the invitation of Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh to inaugurate a newly established 'fortified Police Station. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh met the UMH in New Delhi. The Union Minister Singh accepted the invitation and lauded his government's efforts in the field of development and security in Maoist-affected districts of Bastar region. The CM also informed the Home Minister that after Dantewada District, the Government has plans to develop an education city that will be spread across over 130 acres of land in Sukma District with an aim to providing education to children.

Chhattisgarh Government has decided to outsource doctors, teachers and para-medical staff to work in the pockets that had been infested with the activities of the Naxalites

Development works with an estimated cost of INR 2.25 billion have been sanctioned for seven Districts, across Bastar region, which are Naxal affected. "A master plan has been drafted to provide intensive employment to the youth in the seven Naxal-affected districts of Bastar division," a State Government spokesperson said.

May 19

A woman cadre of CPI-Maoist, identified as Devatti Mandavi (25), was arrested by a joint squad of BSF and District Force during a search operation in Durgukondul region in Kanker District. Acting on a specific input, Mandavi, involved in several Maoist incidents in the region, was arrested from Enhur village under Siksod Police Station limits, Police official said.

May 20

A top CPI-Maoist ‘commander’, identified as Kiran alias Sannu Potam (26), carrying reward of INR 500,000 and allegedly involved in Jeeram attack on May 2013 that killed top Congress leaders, surrendered with weapon before IG of Police Bastar range and SP in Dantewada District. Potam was active in Malangir area committee surrendered with his SLR, two magazine and 47 live cartridges, following which he will be given INR 800,000 including the reward amount on him and as part of Surrender cum Rehabilitation Scheme of State government.

During interrogation, Potam revealed that Maoists are planning a major strike in the mould of the 2013 Jeeram Ghati ambush, by end of the current month. Potam disclosed before the Police that a blueprint of the ambush on SFs was prepared at a meeting of CPI-Maoist’ military wing leaders in Darbha in Bastar recently. “The attack may come by May 25, coinciding the second anniversary of the deadly ambush on a Congress convoy at Jiram Ghati leading to killing of at least a dozen top leaders of Chhattisgarh Congress,” a senior Bastar Police officer quoted Kiran, as saying. According to Potam, Maoists’ Darbha division ‘secretary’ Surndra, dreaded Maoist ‘combat commander’ Deva and Maoist ‘commander’ Jailal had attended the meeting.

Two Maoists who were killed in an encounter in Bijapur District on May 17, along with three Policemen, Chhattisgarh Police said Hemla Masa alias Vijay, was the top-most cadre whose body they have recovered in the entire history of the Maoist conflict. “It was among our best battle. The Maoists were completely overpowered by police and left the body of even their commander,” said DGP A N Upadhyaya. Significantly, Police also recovered as many as nine UBGL shells, highly lethal ammunition the Maoists had earlier snatched from the forces.

Opposition Congress party has disassociated with the move to re-launch Salwa Judum in tribal Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, saying that it was the responsibility of the centre and the state governments to work out and implement strategies to deal with Maoist menace. AICC General Secretary BK Hariprasad, who is in charge of party affairs in Chhattisgarh, clarified his party position on May 20, after Chhavindra Karma, son of slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma, made a public announcement for re-launch of Salwa Judum from May 25--the third anniversary of Maoist attack that killed frontline state Congress leaders.

May 21

Six vehicles, engaged in the doubling of railway tracks at Tudaparas Camp, six km from Dantewada District headquarters in Chhattisgarh, were set ablaze by CPI-Maoist cadres. The Maoists first drove away labourers engaged in doubling tracks and then set ablaze a JCB machine, a poclain machine, a dozer and three other vehicles after breaking their tanks.

Congress party in Chhattisgarh has distanced itself from the decision by Chhavindra Karma, a Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) secretary, to launch Salwa Judum-2, saying the junior Karma has not intimated the party about his move.

May 22

Maoists threatened to “eliminate” slain Mahendra Karma’s two sons — Chhavindra and Deepak — for initiating the move to revive anti-Maoist vigilante force Salwa Judum, founded by their late father in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh. In a press release issued by West Bastar division of CPI-Maoist, the Maoists said, “We will kill Chhavindra Karma and Deepak Karma in ‘jan yudhh’ (people’s war) if they revived Salwa Judum in Bastar”. Maoist leaflets threatening to kill the junior Karmas were circulated in remote Bastar region, including in areas close to the home of Karma family in the village of Farsapal in south Bastar District of Dantewada, a senior Police officer posted in Bastar told.

Amid opposition from political parties, the move to revive a “Salwa Judum” like people’s movement against the CPI-Maoist in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh has fizzled out with organizers now saying that they would organize a meeting to pay homage to the victims of Maoist attack that killed frontline Congress leaders of the state in May 2013. Slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma’s son Chhavindra Karma and other leaders had announced on May 5 that they would convene a meeting at Faraspal in Dantewada District on May 25 — the third anniversary of Bastar massacre — to chalk out strategies to re-launch a peoples’ movement against Maoist rebels.

May 24

The CPI-Maoist cadres shot at and seriously injured a couple with suspected links with Salwa Judum, near Konta village in Sukma District. The injured couple were taken to the Government area hospital in Bhadrachalam in Khammam District of Telangana late in the night. According to sources, the injured were identified as Podium Chukkalu and his wife Podium Payaki of Konta block in Sukma District. The condition of Chukkalu, who sustained two bullet injuries including one in abdomen, was stated to be critical. Sources said that the Maoists fired at the couple in Konta by branding them ‘Police informers’.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist killed two relatives of Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma near Faraspal village in Dantewada District, on the eve of his second death anniversary on May 25. “They have killed two of my relatives. Sukku Oyami of Kesapur village and Chitranjan Barse from Gondapal village were hacked to death on Sunday night,” Mahendra Karma’s son Chhavindra Karma told reporters at his home in Faraspal.

May 25

The Bastar IGP declared his support for anti-Maoist front Vikas Sangharsh Samiti, which has been formed by Chhavindra Karma, son of slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma. Speaking at Karma’s second death anniversary in his native village of Faraspal in Dantewada, S R P Kalluri, Bastar IGP, said that he supported the front and lashed out at those who have compared it with Salwa Judum.

May 27

Four security personnel were injured when a group of CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a Police camp in Narayanpur District. "A large group of armed Naxals hurled crude bombs at Basing Police camp under Kurusnar Police Station limits shortly after the midnight following which a gun­battle broke out between security forces and rebels," a senior Police official said. The intermittent firing lasted for about two hours following which the Maoists disappeared into dense forests, he added. "Two jawans each of Special Task Force and Chhattisgarh Armed Force sustained injuries in the crude bomb explosion," he further said.

May 29

Day before Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Chhattisgarh, one trooper of CAF was killed and two others were injured in an IED blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District. The CAF personnel were deployed on duty for protection of workers at a construction site near Dharampenta village at Kistaram. Condition of both injured troopers is said to be critical. Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to arrive in Chhattisgarh on May 30 and would visit Sukma in Bastar on May 31.

SFs have recovered two powerful tiffin bombs from Sukma District's Dornapal region. "The explosives, planted by Naxals, were recovered by a joint team of security personnel near Misma village on Sukma-Dornapal route under Dornapal Police Station limits yesterday," Sukma sub-divisional officer of Police, Prafulla Kispotta, said.

May 30

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a press conference in Raipur said that a strong strategy would be devised to deal with the Naxalism. He said "The Centre is serious over the issue. We will put in maximum efforts to ensure internal security. Strong strategy will be devised on Naxalism."

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a bus carrying supplies for SFs after asking passengers to get down near Dugaiguda village under Awapalli Police Station limits in Bijapur District. The private bus was on its way to Basaguda from Jagdalpur, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela informed. However, no harm to any passengers has been reported in the incident.

The 2013 Maoist attack in Jeeram Ghati, which wiped out almost the entire Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh, was meant to target only former State Minister Mahendra Karma, but “warriors of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army” ended up killing many others, documents seized after the arrest of top Maoist leader Dilip alias Guha Uike from Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) have revealed. The documents also revealed that the CPI-Maoist leadership considered the attack a “magnificent ambush” for the choice of terrain, the recovery of 23 weapons and the successful execution. But the leadership also felt the attack came with a heavy cost as it allowed “political parties and corporate media” to equate the Maoist movement with terrorism. “We could have won sympathy by letting Patel, his son, Shukla and others go but the unintentional killings of the innocent allowed political parties and the corporate media to label us terrorists,” the document stated.

Two Maoists, including a woman, were arrested from separate places in Kanker District.

May 31

Speaking at a public meeting in Sukma District, UHM Rajnath Singh, urged CPI-Maoist cadres to drop their weapons and come back to the mainstream. He said “The Maoist challenge is a big challenge. They want to stop development. But we have taken a vow that we will establish peace in the region.” He added “I am glad that I am the first Home Minister to visit Sukma. I will also visit in the future.” On May 31, the last day of his two-day Chhattisgarh visit, Rajnath visited Sukma and inaugurated the first fortified Police Station of the State in Dornapal. It is among 75 such stations being constructed in the State from the central funds. He also flew to the Chintagufa Police camp, located near Tadmetla, where Maoists had killed 76 personnel in 2010. Rajnath was accompanied by Chief Minister Raman Singh and other senior officers. On May 30, the Home Minister had inaugurated the new Police Headquarters in Naya Raipur and a Police sports complex in Raipur.

May 30-31

New mobile phone towers and post offices will soon come up in worst Naxal-hit Districts in Chhattisgarh with UHM Rajnath Singh ordering expeditious completion of work. The instructions were given at a high-level meeting held in Raipur during his two day-visit to Chhattisgarh on May 30–31.

June 1

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Virendra Darro (32), was arrested during a search operation carried out by SFs in Kanker District. Police had declared cash reward of INR 2000 on his arrest.

June 2

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an exchange of fire between a joint team of SF personnel and Maoists in the restive Mirtoor Police Station limits in Bijapur District. One wireless set, two hand grenades, one 315 bore rifle and other materials were also seized from the spot.

Police arrested three Maoists from Kirandul town in Dantewada District.

Chhattisgarh Government is soon going to raise a tribal battalion to take on the Maoists in Bastar region. The UHM Rajnath Singh has agreed “in principle” to a proposal to this effect given by Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh when the former was on a two-day visit to the State last week, a senior Police officer said. Modalities for forming the battalion will soon be worked out jointly by the Centre and the State Government.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh has complained to UHM Rajnath Singh that there is "no cooperation" from the Telangana Government in the fight against Maoists in Bastar region. The UHM has now asked the Chhattisgarh CM to convene an urgent meeting with the DGP Telangana. Officials said CM Raman Singh described Odisha's cooperation also as ‘moderate’ while he praised the "active participation" of Maharashtra. The CM also had a host of complaints against Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Road Transport and Highways Ministry, Telecom Department and Environment Ministry. He said there had been "no progress" in increasing the capacity and reach of radio network in Bastar — even Prime Minister’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ programme was hardly reaching remote areas of Bastar. The CM also complained of "slow progress" in installation of mobile towers, especially in Sukma District near CRPF camps and asked for supply of more helicopters and UAVs by the Centre.

June 3

The CPI-Maoist has expressed its solidarity with the indigenous people of Australia in their struggle against Indian industrial house Adani Group which has signed a deal with Australian Government to develop a coal mines in Queens Land with an investment of more than INR 19 trillion. In a statement e-mailed to media in Raipur the CPI-Maoist Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee spokesman Gudsa Usendi said the people have already knocked the doors of court and Maoists were very much enthusiastic and inspired with the Australian indigenous peoples' struggle. The mail further said "Since Modi took oath as prime minister he has been working overtime to make his nearest and dearest capitalist friends get lands, mines, contracts, leases and opportunities to invest in India and abroad." The statement alleged adding that Coal mine and Adani Group in Queens Land of Australia should be seen in this context only.

June 4

Chhattisgarh Police have claimed to have intensified the process of setting-up 'fortified police stations' in Bastar region in order to strengthen security apparatus in the Maoist-hit area. The UMH Rajnath Singh had visited Sukma District on May 31, 2015 to inaugurate the first fortified police station of the State erected at Dornapal. "Apart from Dornapal, constructions of FPS have been completed in Konta of Sukma District and at Bhairamgarh in Bijapur District," an unnamed senior Police official said.

June 5

Two troopers, one from the CRPF and the other from the DF, were grievously injured when CPI-Maoist cadres ambushed SFs at two different places in Bastar region. The first explosion took place when the Maoists triggered a landmine targetting a search party of the DF personnel at Belkagunda under Kistaram Police Station limits in Sukma District. The Maoists also fired at the SFs. The Maoists ambushed a search party comprising the CRPF and the DF at Murdanda of Bijapur District inuring a trooper of the Central Paramilitary Force.

The woman Maoist cadre who was killed in an encounter with SFs at Belchar in Bijapur District has been identified as Lingo Parvati, a member of platoon number 13 of the CPI- Maoist.

A jewellery trader, identified as Manoj Soni, was seriously injured when the CPI-Maoist cadres attacked him at Palnar village under Kuwakonda Police Station limits in Dantewada District. The incident occurred on the first day of the 'Jan Pituri Saptah' (5-11 June) observed by the Maoists in memory of their lost cadres.

June 6

At least two cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter in Kondagaon District. A Maoist camp was also neutralised during the encounter and three 12-bore rifles, around 15 backpacks and other material were recovered from the spot, said IG of Police, Bastar Range, S.R. Kalluri. “An encounter took place between a team of the District Reserve Guard of the Kondagaon District Police and the Maoists near Timdi village of Kondagaon this evening...”, added S.R. Kalluri.

A STF personnel of Chhattisgarh Police was injured in an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres in a forest near Palamdagu under Dornapal Police Station limits in Sukma District.

A senior Maoist cadre, identified as Fulsingh Korram (32), carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head and a woman Maoist cadre, Ramoli Netam (25), surrendered before Kondagaon Police.

June 8

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a villager, identified as Sodi Chandra Singh, on suspicion of being a 'Police informer' in Sukma District. Singh's body was found near Polamapalli.

Chhattisgarh State Police deployed a chopper to rescue an injured Maoist cadre, identified as Hemchand Maravi, for treatment. The Maoist would be airlifted from Kondagaon to Raipur. The Maoist was injured in an encounter with Police near Timdi village in Kondagaon District on June 6, 2015.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Fuleshwari Pudo alias Mayawati (27), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head, was arrested by a joint team of SFs from Iragaon village under Bhanupratappur region in Kanker District. She was a cadre of Pallemari Local Operation Squad.

June 12

Three cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including two women, were killed in an exchange of fire between the Maoists and the SFs near Jinipa under Tarlaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Apart from the bodies, Police recovered five weapons from the spot and the dead Maoists were yet to be identified, a senior Police officer said.

One Maoist was killed and three others were arrested after an encounter between the Sukma District Reserve Guard and Maoists near Tumma Vaagu village in Sukma District. Apka Pandu (27), a member of Maoist battalion, Madvi Bheema (28), a member of Bhejji Maoist militia and Madvi Somlu of Kistaram Maoist militia were arrested during the encounter.

A CRPF trooper was injured in an IED blast during a routine patrol in the Chintalnar-Burkapalli axis in Sukma District. "The incident occurred near Gadgadmeta village when a ROP of paramilitary forces was carrying out its operation on Jagargunda-Dornapal road", Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said.

June 15

Santram Soni, a Police SI, was injured in an exchange of fire between the SFs and cadres of the CPI-Maoist in forests under Bakarkatta Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested after a gun battle with the Police at Khadka village forests under Kanker Police Station limits in Kanker District. A rifle and a country-made gun were seized from her.

June 18

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a search operation carried out in Amabeda area in Kanker District. Both the Maoists were members of a Maoist Janmilitia and used to provide logistic support to guerrillas.

A woman Maoist cadre who was allegedly involved in an attack on a Police anti-landmine vehicle in Dantewada District was arrested. The woman cadre identified as Bheme Muchaki, was arrested by a joint team of SFs from a forested patch under Aranpur Police Station limits. Muchaki was active as a member of Malangir LOS and security guard of a prominent Maoist leader in the area.

June 19

Chhattisgarh Police in collaboration with Central Paramilitary Forces are carrying out small surgical operations against CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar region in a prelude to a major exercise. The operation is based on specific intelligence inputs and Police are planning to continue the same during monsoon too. "As of now we are carrying out small (anti-Maoist) operations in different districts while gearing up for major operations (which are) in the offing," Bastar Range Inspector IG SRP Kalluri said.

June 20

A CAF personnel - Mangdu Takka - was killed in a CPI-Maoist attack in Dantewada District. The CAF personnel had gone to a local weekly market when the Maoist cadres opened fire on him. Takka died on the spot and four other villagers sustained minor bullet injuries, said the Police.

Police arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Kartami Mukesh alias Mukka and Kawasi Deva, during a search operation carried out in a village under Gadiras Police Station limits in Sukma District. The arrested Maoist duo were members of Maoist Janmilitia team active in Gadiras region and were involved in incidents like damaging roads and helping Naxals.

June 23

Four suspected CPI-Maoist "sympathisers", identified as Sunaram Teta (30), Dharam Singh Korche (36), Atmaram Korram (30) and Baliram Korche (30), were arrested under Korar Police Station limits in Kanker District for their alleged involvement in torching of vehicles at a mining site in Korar region.

June 24

In a major haul of CPI-Maoist weaponry, three improvised rocket launchers and two detonators have been seized from a dense forest under Madanwada Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District.

June 25

Police arrested a Maoist, identified as Jugnu alias Jagmohan, during a search operation carried out in a village under the limits of Badgaon Police Station limits in Kanker District.

June 27

CPI-Maoist cadres killed their own colleague, identified as Bhagat, a Naxal area committee member in a 'Jan Adalat' at Gunderas village under Gadiras Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh who was preparing to lay down arms before Police. Bhagat was planning to desert the organization, along with his wife, Sukma, SP, D. Shravan, informed. The wife of killed Maoist cadre is still under Naxals' captivity, the Police officer informed.

June 28

Three Maoists, including a couple were arrested from separate locations in Dantewada District, Police informed.

The Maoist couple was arrested by a joint team of 195th battalion CRPF and District Police from Korlapal village forests under Geedam Police Station limits, Dantewada SP, Kamlochan Kashyap informed. The couple identified as Mallesh alias Dhansingh and his wife Sukay Vetti were arrested during a combing operation based on intelligence inputs from the village. According to SP, Mallesh was a prominent Naxal leader of the region and was active as 'Commander' of Section 'A' of Maoist Military Platoon Number 1 of Military Company No. 6 of the CPI-Maoist. Mallesh's wife Sukay was active member of the same group and assisted her husband in several Naxal incidents, the SP said, adding, the duo were carrying a reward of INR 800,000 each on their heads. A 2-kg tiffin bomb, four detonators, wire, Naxal banners were also recovered from their possession, he said.

A Militia Member- Sanu Kadti, who was involved in attack on a Police Anti-landmine vehicle in Dantewada's Kirandul region was arrested by the team of District Force and STF on the input that he was on his way to his native village Kutrem, from a jungle between Kutrem and Hiroli villages in Dantewada District. A reward of INR 35,000 was announced for his arrest, the SP informed.

June 29

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre identified, as Murra Vedga alias Murra Usendi, who was involved in looting of arms from guards at the residence of BJP leader and former MLA Manturam Pawar was arrested during a search operation carried out in Durgkondal region of Kanker District. Usendi was the 'president' of the Jantana Sarkar of the CPI-Maoist in Chhindpadar region.

June 30

The Chhattisgarh State Government has decided to hike the allowances for Police personnel including Constable, Assistant Constable and secret troops posted in CPI-Maoist-affected areas of Bastar division, Gariyaband and Rajnandgaon.

July 1

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has demanded a special package of INR 30 billion from the Centre for overall development of Chhattisgarh's Naxal hit Bastar region. The Chief Minister, who met Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley in New Delhi, said the special package would strengthen the efforts of the state government to ensure employment and development in the area, thus pave the way for peace and development of Bastar region.

July 2

Rajnandgaon SP P. Sundarraj informed that during the past two months, Police have achieved notable success through different anti-Maoist operations carried out in the District. In the month of May this year, Police had busted a CPI-Maoist camp in the jungles of Nagur and seized arms and ammunition in huge quantity.

July 3

One CPI-Maoist cadre has reportedly been killed by their own Maoist cadres in Sukma District. "Charred body of the cadre, identified as Badru alias Masa, who was a Section Commander of military platoon number-24 of Maoist outfit was recovered from Permpara village forests under Gadiras Police Station limits," ASP, Anti-Maoist operations, Sukma, Santosh Singh said.

Three Maoist cadres were reportedly killed by their colleagues in Sukma during the past one week, the ASP said adding, their bodies are yet to be recovered. "Our sources informed that a senior-level cadre from Maoist military wing Hemla Bhagat and his wife Kosi, chief of Dandakaranya Kisan Majdoor Sangathan, figured among the rebels reportedly killed by their colleagues early this week," Singh said. Badru was murdered after being labeled as 'Police informer', he said.

July 8

Five CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered in Bastar District. "The cadres turned themselves in before senior Police officials at Jagdalpur District Headquarters," IGP, Bastar Range, S.R.P. Kalluri said. Of the surrendered Maoists, Mahesh Tati alias Hurra, the 'deputy commander' of the Malangir LOS was reportedly held hostage by his colleagues after branding him as 'cheater' not loyal to the banned movement, he added. "As per his statement, Tati had managed to flee from the captivity of Naxals before he surrendered," the officer said. He was an expert in imparting training to Maoist recruits in guerrilla warfare and was carrying a reward of INR 300,000 on his head.

A transit camp of Maoists was neutralised by SFs following a gun battle with insurgents in Kondagaon District, Police said. The SF personnel recovered a cache of materials used in making explosives.

As many as 11 Police informers were killed by CPI-Maoist in the first six months of this year in Chhattisgarh which witnessed 245 incidents of Maoist violence. According to Union Home Ministry statistics, informers were killed mostly in rural areas of Chhattisgarh where Maoists continue to have dominance. However, there have been improvement in the security situation in Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and Maharashtra where incidents of Maoist violence has come down significantly. A total of 562 incidents of Naxal violence were reported across the country from January 1 to June 15, 2015, of which 155 were reported in Jharkhand (188 incidents in corresponding period in 2014), 55 incidents in Bihar (55 in 2014), 31 in Odisha (61 in 2014) and 25 in Maharashtra (43 in 2014. Similarly, there has been a fall in casualties in Naxal violence -- from 177 in first six months of 2014 to 111 in 2015. 184 Naxals have surrendered till June 15 this year while 176 extremists surrendered in the same period last year. In Chhattisgarh, 82 Maoists have surrendered so far this year while last year only 35 extremists had given up arms. In Jharkhand, security forces killed 19 Maoists till June 15 this year in comparison to just two in the corresponding period in 2014. As many as 177 Maoists were arrested by security forces in Jharkhand in comparison to 142 in the same period last year.

July 12

A STF trooper was injured in a gun-battle with CPI-Maoist cadres in the forests under Kukanar Police Station limits in Sukma District. The gun-battle took place while a joint team of security personnel was carrying out an anti-Maoist operation.

The CPI-Maoist has owned up to killing two of its senior cadres in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Four senior Maoists - Badru, Hemla Bhagat, Kosi and Hinge - active in Bastar were killed by their own party men in the last few days. One Maoist leader has been "detained" and another Maoist leader managed to escape from the captivity of his own comrades and surrendered to the Police.

"Our party held a people's court which awarded death penalty to Badru [a DVC member of the Darbha area] and Hemla Bhagat [another Darbha DVC member and chief of Maoists' military intelligence wing in the area]. Both of them have been killed for indulging in anti-people, anti-party activities. They were in contact with the police and were planning to kill some senior leaders of the party. They were also conspiring to surrender with weapons before the enemy [the police]," said Surinder, secretary of the Darbha Division of the CPI-Maoist, in a press statement. However, the statement did not mention anything about two other leaders - Hinge and Kosi - who have been killed by the rebels in the last week of June. "Our party never executed any of its cadres who wanted to go home. We only punish those who indulge in treachery and damage our party and the movement. We appeal to the people to continue this struggle," said the Maoist leader.

Ayatu, secretary of the Malangir area committee of the CPI-Maoist, has been 'detained' by his own party men and has been kept in captivity in the Katekalyan forest in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada District reliable sources have told. Ayatu has been accused of facilitating the surrender of Maoist leader Kiran alias Sannu Potam on May 24 before the Dantewada Police. Sources told that Ayatu reportedly uttered some "unpleasant words" against the highhandedness of Darbha DVC member and Malangir area committee in charge Nirmala.

July 13

Two personnel of the CRPF were injured in an IED blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District.

Four Assistant Constables, recruited by Chhattisgarh Police as Auxiliary Personnel, were abducted by suspected Maoist cadres in Bijapur District. The four have been identified as Jaydev Yadav, Mangal Sodhi, Raju Tela and Rama Majji.

A member of Maoist LOS, identified as Saybo Halami (25), was arrested during a search operation carried out by a joint team of CRPF, STF and District Police, under Mardum Police Station limits in Bastar District.

July 15

Four auxiliary Constables belonging to Chhattisgarh Police were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District. The SPO-turned-Auxiliary Constables, identified as Jaydev Yadav, Mangal Sori, Raju Tela and Rama Majji, were abducted in the afternoon of July 13, by the rebels. Three of them were posted in Kutru Police Station, another was in Bedre. Their bodies were found near Kutru.

Two hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Moti Ram (25) and Dinesh (23), who were members of Maoist LOS active in Kiskod area in Kondagaon District surrendered before the Police in the District.

Maoists warned saying, Policemen would be killed if they harassed villagers or participated in Salwa Judum or 'Operation Green Hunt'. ADG. Anti-Naxal Operations, R.K. Vij said Police and SFs would intensify operations against Maoists. Locals have declared a 'bandh' at Kutru, Bedre, Farsegarh, Gudma and Saknapalli against the killings.

CM Raman Singh who is in New Delhi to attend a meeting of Niti Aayog to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemned the killing of four Policemen in Bijapur District, and said it is an "act of cowardice" and shows the frustration of Naxals.

July 16

Maoists released an Auxiliary Constable of Chhattisgarh Police, who was abducted from Sukma District of the State on July 10. Madvi Soma, a SPO turned Auxiliary Constable posted in Polampalli Police Station of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, was abducted by the Maoists when he was travelling to Dornapal town in a local transport vehicle for some personal work.

July 17

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with Police in Narayanpur District. "The body of the woman has been recovered after an encounter between Police teams and the Maoists in Pirampal forest of Narayanpur," said S.R.P. Kalluri, the IGP, Bastar range. "The deceased has been identified as Janki, a resident of Edangpal village under Benur Police Station. She was a member of the Bayanar Local Guerrilla Squad of the Maoists and also worked as the doctor in the group.

A group of security personnel had a close save as Maoists detonated a powerful IED on the Awapalli-Mordunda road in Bijapur District. No one was injured in the explosion. The Maoists exploded the landmine, planted beneath the soil near Tekri village under Bijapur Police Station limits when a team of CRPF was patrolling in the region to ensure security to an under construction road, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said.

July 20

A top CPI-Maoist cadre carrying cash reward of INR 800,000 on his head, identified as Sodi Ganpat (22), was arrested from his native place Punnur village under Awapalli Police Station limits in Bijapur District. The arrested Maoist was a prominent member of section-1 under military company-2 of battalion-1 of the CPI-Maoist.

July 23

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Maan Singh alias Arjun (45) and Sanker Salam (30), active at different capacities under Partapur area committee of the outfit, were arrested from Pakhanjore area of Kanker District.

July 25

Soon after disrupting a goods wagon at Kaklur Railway Station in Bastar, Maoists announced to observe 'martyrs week' from July 28 to August 3. Leaving posters and banners in large numbers in villages of Bijapur, Kondagaon including NH 16, NH 30 and other neighbouring districts, the Maoists have asked locals to observe the week and make it a success.

July 26

Chhattisgarh Police busted an alleged CPI-Maoist urban support network, with the arrest of five people including a Raipur-based scrap businessman, from separate places. Dantewada SP Kamlochan Kashyap said that based on intelligence inputs, businessman Arun Agrawal and his accountant Balaram were arrested from Raipur airport on July 25 night when they were trying to flee, while three Maoist cadres were apprehended from Bhansi Police Station limits in Dantewada District. "Agarwal is said to be in close contact with a prominent Maoist of the Western Bastar Division Committee called Commander Sanjay alias Mohan Kadti. He often supplied detonators, explosives, generators, welding machines and other materials to the Maoists," the Police officer said.

The latest CAG report released reveals that in Chhattisgarh as only 31 percent of the road construction work undertaken between 2009-14 has been completed. According to the report, while Centre had approved a special programme for improving connectivity in LWE areas in 2009 by constructing 2021.73 km of road, a mere 618.34 km (31 percent) was completed in five years. The task for constructing the road network was handed over to Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, through state public works department and INR Rs 28.9709 billion was sanctioned for Chhattisgarh during 2009-14. While physical progress on the 53 sanctioned projects was only 31 percent, fund utilisation was Rs 805.04 crore (27 percent). CAG reviewed the records of eight divisions (of nine divisions including Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon, Surguja and Sukma executing LWE works) and examined 32 works out of total 39 for which agreements were signed. Of these, work on 11 roads could not be started due to non-participation bidders and no process was initiated in case of three road works. In some cases finalisation of tender could be done only after 12 bids.

July 27

10 cadres of the CPI-Maoist, including a woman, surrendered in Kondagaon District, on the eve of the Martyrs' Week. Kondagaon SP J. S. Watti said that Maoist people's militia cadres turned themselves in to the Police citing "disappointment with exploitation of lower rung members by senior Maoist leaders" from Andhra Pradesh.

July 29

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in as many encounters with the Police in the Bastar region. One of the Maoists was killed and four women cadres were arrested near Nihadi village in Dantewada District when the Maoists were observing Martyrs' Week, IG of Police, Bastar, S.R. Kalluri said. The other Maoist was killed near Dabba village in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh, where the encounter between the Maoists and a STF team is still on, he said. "We have recovered the body of a Maoist in uniform, along with a weapon, from the spot of the Dantewada encounter. In the second encounter, the body of a Maoist in uniform and one 3.3 rifle have been recovered," Kalluri said. The identity of killed ultras is yet to be established.

July 30

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Modiyam Bojji (26), was arrested during a search operation by SFs in Chilnar, Gorna Mankeli village under Bijapur Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Bojji, President of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangh, one of the frontal organizations of CPI-Maoist, and resident of Chilnar village under Bijapur Police Station circle, carried a reward of INR 100,000 on his head.

A joint team of STF and District Force seized arms, mobile phone and other items following a gun battle with Maoists in a forested patch near Aalparas village under Koilebeda Police Station limits in Kanker District. A muzzle gun, mobile phones, radio, bullets, gunpowder, medicines were recovered from the spot.

August 1

CPI-Maoist cadres stabbed to death a local businessman during a weekly market in Tumnar village under Geedam Police Station limits in Dantewada District.

August 2

SFs busted a transit Maoist camp following a gun-battle with Maoists and recovered two firearms in Rajnandgaon District. The skirmish between a joint team of SF personnel and rebels took place in Kundakaal hills under Madanwada Police Station limits, Rajnandgaon SP P Sundarraj said.

August 2-3

A group of armed CPI-Maoist cadres stormed into a mine operated by NMDC Ltd on Bailadila hills mining area under Bacheli Police Station limits in Dantewada District and set afire dumpers and drilling machine involved in mining work, SP Dantewada, Kamlochan Kashyap informed.

August 3

In order to give a boost to anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh's worst affected areas, Centre has sanctioned additional deployment of 5,000 troops of mountain-warfare trained ITBP in the State. Officials said five battalions of the Sino-India border guarding force will soon take positions in Bastar, Narayanpur, Rajnandgaon and Kondagaon Districts of the state. With this, the total deployment of central security forces including CRPF and BSF will come to about 40,000 personnel in the central Indian state.

August 4

CPI-Maoist cadres went on rampage in all four Districts of south Bastar during the South Bastar Bandh called by the banned outfit in protest against the Land Acquisition bill.

Ganesh Uike, 'secretary' of the SRC, CPI-Maoist, lashed out at the Government, the Police and the media for "fuelling speculation and indulging in propaganda" about the alleged rift between Telugu leaders and Bastar tribal cadres of the party. In a press statement Uike said, "The media is being misled [by the police and the government] to spread rumours about a rift between Telugu-speaking leaders of the party and the tribals of Bastar. Are the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who are working for the party, not the citizens of India?"

August 5

26 CPI-Maoist cadres have been arrested from different places in Bijapur District over past three days, Police said.

Three Maoists, carrying cash reward of INR 100000 on their heads surrendered in Kondagaon District. The surrendered cadres were working as members of Kiskodo Local Operation Squad.

CPI-Maoist called for Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar bandh on August 6 in protest against an alleged fake encounter of their regional member, identified as Dr. Shivnandan Bhagat alias Sylvester Minz in Jharkhand on July 25, 2015.

August 6

Maoists in Chhattisgarh have taken to social media websites to propagate their ideology. The Maoists in Chhattisgarh have allegedly created several pages on social networking website Facebook to spread their message. Lal Salaam, Lal Atank, Naxalwari Zindabad, Naxal Movement of India and Naxalwari are among the Facebook pages that are believed to be run by the Maoists.

August 7

Four CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a joint search operation in Bijapur District. While three cadres were apprehended from Basaguda Police Station limits, another was held from Usoor Police Station area by a joint team of SFs, Bijapur SP K.L. Dhruv said. The arrested cadres were identified as Punem Suresh (30), Punem Shankar (30), Korsa Hunga (25) and Renga Ramlu (35).

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh admitted in Ahmedabad that the problem of Naxalism is putting a huge dent into the GDP of the State, as the government has to spend huge amount of money towards rebuilding infrastructure and inducting Police personnel.

August 8

A team of District Police acting on specific intelligence input arrested Pappu Khan, a prime accused wanted for supplying lathe machine and welding machine to CPI-Maoist cadres, from Nerli Ghat area in Dantewada District.

August 10

Seven CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists were arrested from Bhairamgad and Gangaloor areas of Bijapur District in a joint operation Bijapur SP K.L. Dhruv said. "We have arrested Punem Sukku, who worked for the CPI (Maoist) in Gangaloor block of Bijapur. Sitaram Bhaskar, Budhram Vako, Salaki Sodhi, Payaku Mandavi, Pardeshi Ram and Ganesh Bhaskar have been arrested from Bhairamgad block of the district," the SP added.

Maoists torched five vehicles of a construction company near Orcha town of Narayanpur District. No one was injured as the Maoists asked the labourers to move away from the vehicles.

August 11

Five hardcore Maoists, including two women, carrying cash reward of INR 1.9 million in all, surrendered with weapons before Kanker SP. Maoists cited exploitation of lower rank cadres by senior Maoists leaders of Andhra Pradesh as the reason for surrendering. Kanker SP Jitendra Meena said Basantin alias Juri Gawde surrendered with an INSAS rifle, Ramsai Dugga 'commander', platoon number 5 under North Bastar division surrendered with AK-47, Nilap Usendi alias Milap surrendered with an AK-47, Manki who was working as a 'commander' of East Charagaon LOS surrendered with 12 bore rifle, and Juru Salam surrendered as 'chief' of Jantana Sarkar.

August 13

A Sarpanch and a deputy Sarpanch were killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District. "Sukhdev Negi, the Sarpanch of Gudsakal village and Asaram Modiyami, the deputy Sarpanch of Bhatwada village in Bijapur district were murdered by the Maoists today. Kisuram, a resident of neighbouring Chihka village, was also attacked by the ultras. He was grievously injured in the attack and has been taken to a hospital," informed SRP Kalluri, the IG of Police, Bastar range.

August 14

SFs busted a CPI-Maoist camp after a fierce gun battle in Kanker District. "The skirmish between a joint team of security personnel and Maoist rebels took place at Rampur village forests under Partapur Police Station limits," said Kanker SP Jitendra Singh Meena. The SFs also recovered a 12-bore gun, a revolver, self loading rifle's live magazines, tiffin bombs, wire, polythene sheets, Maoist literature, medicines and commodities of daily use.

August 16

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from separate places under Mardapal Police Station limits in Kondagaon District. The arrested cadres were identified as Sunil (32) and Balram Kashyap (26). Sunil a 'deputy commander' carried reward of INR 100000 while Balaram worked as a 'Janmilitia' member.

August 18

One CRPF trooper was killed and three others were grievously injured when the CPI-Maoist cadres ambushed a team of the CRPF near Guttam village under Basaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Confirming the incident, DP Upadhyay, the CRPF DIG of Dantewada range said that the troops belonged to 168th battalion of the CRPF based in Timmapur base camp of Bijapur District.

August 19

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in encounter with SFs under Basaguda Police Station limits of Bijapur District. A press statement of the Bastar Police said "A search operation was launched near Chinnagelur area under Basaguda Police Station limits of Bijapur District on Wednesday after the killing of the CRPF jawan. A District Reserve Guard (DRG) team led by Basaguda Police Inspector and a team of CRPF's 168th battalion participated in it. The Maoists attacked the Security Forces from the eastern side of Kottaguda village. However, Security Forces repulsed the Maoists." The statement further added "Forces recovered the bodies of two Maoists. Bloodstains on the spot suggest that some more Maoists may have been killed or many of them grievously injured."

August 20

Four Maoists, including a couple carrying a reward of INR 800000 each, were arrested from separate villages in Kanker District. "The cadres were rounded up from two different places under Koyalibeda Police Station limits," said Kanker SP Jitendra Singh Meena. Acting on a tip-off that 'zonal action team commander' of CPI- Maoist, Santu Bui, was staying with his wife, Jainee Komra, at Hetarkasa village, a team of BSF, STF and district force raided the place, Meena added.

Further, when SFs reached Jugda village forest while cordoning off the region, they spotted two suspects and arrested them up after a short chase. They were identified as lower rung cadres, Lakashman Potai and Rainu Navgo.

August 21

Four Maoists, identified as Hunga Uike (23), Midiyami Kosa, Bheema Kuanjam and Assu alias Panta (25), were arrested while another one, identified as Kalmesh Markami, a 'commander' of Dabha division, surrendered in Dantewada District. Hunga was a 'member' of the Machkot Maoist local operation squad while Aasu a people's militia 'section commander'. The duo carried a reward of INR 100000 each on their head.

August 22

A STF official, APC Krishna Pal Singh was killed and a trooper, Constable Santosh Yadav, injured when CPI-Maoist cadres ambushed a team of SFs in Bastar District. The attack occurred at 2 am when a contingent of STF was out for an operational task on NH-30 in Darbha region.

SFs seized a huge cache of CPI-Maoist-related materials after a half-an-hour gun-battle with them in Bijapur District. Bijapur SP K.L. Dhruv said that the skirmish took place in the forests of Bijapur Police Station area while a joint team of security personnel was out on a search operation.

August 25

A 45-year-old man, identified as Pidu Korsa, who was an active member of the Salwa Judum was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres at the Nayapara relief camp in Bijapur District. Villagers said that a group of armed Maoists stormed the Nayapara relief camp and pumped bullets into Korsa, killing him on the spot.

August 27

Hundreds of people surrounded a Police Station in Sukma District in protest against the arrest of five villagers on suspicion of being CPI-Maoist cadres. Residents of Kukanar and nearby villages of Sukma also blocked the National Highway No.30 for a brief period.

August 29

To strengthen the security apparatus in Maoist-affected tribal areas, Chhattisgarh is set to complete the process of setting up 75 'fortified' Police Stations in Bastar region by December, 2015. State Police Housing Corporation Managing Director D.M. Awasthy said works on 25 fortified Police Stations have been completed while 15 Police Stations are nearing completion. He was speaking at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Ramswak Paikra.

August 30

A gun-battle has taken place between the CoBRA forces and the CPI-Maoist cadres at Regargatta village under Bhejji Police Station area of Sukma District. Sukma SP D. Shrawan said the exchange of fire continued for around half an hour. Some Maoist-related materials were reported to be recovered after the encounter.

18 months after the Chhattisgarh Police arrested 13 persons for providing support to the Maoists in urban areas, a Special Court last week convicted all of them in various Maoist-related cases.

August 31

Auxiliary Constable of Chhattisgarh Police, Pila Das, was abducted by CPI-Maoist cadres while he was travelling to Pollampalli from Dornapal town in Sukma District.

A Maoist, Budhram Madkami, carrying reward money of INR 30,000 was arrested from Kapanar village forests under Darbha Police Station limits in Bastar District. An IED was also seized from him.

September 1

Six CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from different parts of Dantewada District. The Maoists include a couple, identified as Madavi Joga and Madavi Gangi, who worked for Maoists' military company no. 2 and carried a reward of INR 800000 each. The others have been identified as Bhima Kunjam, Jayram Raut, Madkam Bhima and Pillu Madavi alias Podia from Bacheli area of the District.

September 3

Two villagers who were allegedly abducted by CPI-Maoist cadres last week were found dead in forests of Bastar District. The bodies of Manglu Korram (40) and Pandu (39) were found in forests under Pakhnar Police outpost of Darbha region, said Bastar ASP Vijay Pandey. The duo was reportedly abducted along with another villager Raju from their native place Toyanar in Pakhnar area. Raju, who was set free by Maoists, told villagers that Manglu and Pandu were killed by abductors with sharp-edged weapons.

Four pipe bombs, planted by Maoists to target SFs, were recovered in Bijapur District. A joint Road Opening Party of CRPF and district force detected the explosives in the forests along a road between Basaguda and Tarrem villages while conducting its operation in Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela. The explosives were later destroyed by the bomb disposal squad.

September 4

An Assistant Commandant of the CRPF, identified as B. K. Malik, was critically injured in an attack by the CPI-Maoist cadres at a market place at Palnar village in Dantewada District where the CRPF's 111th battalion was stationed. The injured officer is the Company Commander of the battalion.

September 5

Auxiliary Constable of Chhattisgarh Police, identified as Pila Das, who was abducted by the CPI-Maoist cadres on August 31, was found dead in Sukma District. Das had joined the ant-Maoist militia Salwa Judum as a Special Police Officer in 2006 and was active in anti-Maoist operations in Bastar.

September 6

Five CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested and weapons recovered from them after a brief exchange of fire near Sonhat village under Raghunathnagar Police Station limits in Balrampur District.

A Maoist, identified as Somaru Kadti, was arrested at Cherli village under Mirtur Police Station limits in Bijapur District. A muzzle loading gun, an arrow bomb, a pair of bow-arrow, axe and other Maoist-related materials were recovered from his possession.

Five Maoists, including two women, surrendered in Bijapur District. The cadres were identified as Ramesh Wacham (25), Pidoram Wekko (19), Raju Lekam (22), Laxmi Madkam (22) and Chinni Oyam (25). Pidoram was a member military platoon no 13 and carried a reward of INR 200000 on his head. Ramesh was the 'commander' of Toynar 'Janmilitia' group, Raju was deployed a local guerrilla squad 'member' in Andwada of Narayanpur District. Similarly, Laxmi was part of the national park LGS after joining the movement last year. The trio were carrying a reward of INR 100000 each on their heads.

September 7

SFs recovered three powerful IEDs suspected to have been planted by the CPI-Maoist in Sukma District. The explosives, packed in steel containers, were found stealthily placed beneath the Kottacheru-Bhejji Road under Behjji Police Station. While one IED weighed 8 kg, the two others were around 5kg each.

September 8

SFs recovered a powerful IED, planted by CP-Maoist cadres, from a village route on the Himoda-Gadra road under Antagarh Police Station limits in Kanker District. Kanker DSP Jayant Vaishnav said the explosive which was packed in a steel container weighed 20 kg.

Five Maoists were arrested in Sukma District. Acting on a tip-off, the cadres were arrested by a joint team of CRPF and District Force from a mobile check post at Gadiras village. Those arrested have been identified as Bajju Mandavi, Sannu Mandavi, Kamlu Mandavi, Joga Mandavi and Panna Mandavi, all aged between 30 to 50 years, residents of Surnar village in Dantewada District.

September 10

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a former Janpad Panchayat member, identified as Uika Lakhma (45), under Jagargunda Police Station limits in Sukma District.

A Police Constable - Hariram Patra - was injured when a pressure bomb laid by Maoists exploded at Bijapur valley area of Bijapur District. The incident occurred around five km from Bijapur town towards Bhopalpattanam, when a squad of security personnel was patrolling an under-construction road, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said. Following the blast, the Maoists also opened fire on security personnel.

September 11

CPI-Maoist cadres set a tanker carrying diesel on fire in Bijapur District. Thereafter, traffic movement on the Bijapur-Bhopalpattanm road was affected for several hours. The tanker belonging to one Patil Construction was heading towards Awapalli.

September 12

Police unearthed a CPI-Maoist explosive dump and recovered as many as eight IEDs in Kawardha District. Senior police officials claimed that it was the first ever recovery of any Maoist dump explosives in Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's home District Kawardha which has never witnessed any Maoist incidents. The IEDs were packed in containers and were recovered from a dense forest stretch falling in limits of Rengakhar Police Station, Kawardha SP Rahul Bhagat said.

September 14

Pictures of the anti-Naxal operation, generated by an UAV deployed in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, have found their way to the social media, creating a ripple in security circle. The MHA has issued a circular to the Central Para Military Forces to restrain from uploading sensitive security related information and photographs in the social media after the intelligence wing of the Chhattisgarh Police brought the matter to notice of the MHA as well as Central intelligence.

September 15

A former village sarpanch, identified as Somlu Tati, who was abducted by the CPI-Maoist, was found dead in Bijapur District. The body of the former sarpanch of Todka village panchayat was found lying in a pool of blood on a road near his native place Todka under Gangaloor Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said. Tati was reportedly abducted by Maoists last week from his village, after he was suspected to be a 'Police informer'.

A Maoist Jan Militia 'commander', identified as Madkam Kanna alias Kanna Rao, skilled in assembling and planting IEDs surrendered before senior CRPF and State Police officials, citing disappointment with the ideology of the Maoist movement in Dantewada District. Until recently, he was active in Konta area committee.

September 16

A Police team arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Ajit Netam alias Sondhar Netam (20) who carries a cash reward of INR 200,000 on his head, from a weekly market falling under limits of Dhanora Police Station in Kondagaon District. According to Police, Netam was an active member of platoon number-17 of the CPI-Maoist under North Bastar Division.

September 17

Acting on a tip off, a joint squad of BSF and District Force arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Mangal Ram Mandavi (40), carrying cash reward of INR 1000 on his head at Kotul village under Koyelibeda Police Station limits in Kanker District.

In the past three months, 795 mobile-phone towers have been set up in CPI-Maoist-affected districts of the country. The plan to provide a channel of communication in these remote areas has taken off after remaining on paper for the past five years. Chhattisgarh has installed 465 of the 497 towers proposed. The CRPF has been asked to install 170 mobile towers in its camps. Of these camps, the process for installation has been initiated on 107 sites, and 49 are fully functional. In Jharkhand only 175 of the 782 proposed towers have been installed in the State.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two mixture machines deployed for developmental work at Murki village in Dantewada District. A group of armed Maoists stormed into the construction site of a poultry farm being developed by the State Government and set afire two mixture machines, said Dantewada ASP G.L. Baghel. They also dropped some pamphlets and banner at the spot.

September 18

A Maoist, identified as Shashikant Tekam (39), was arrested by a joint squad of BSF and District Force in Kanker District.

September 19

A joint team of Police and BSF personnel discovered a 10 kg 'tiffin bomb' near Charre-Marre valley under Antagarh Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. A Police official said that while patrolling under Antagarh Police Station limits, the security personnel spotted a wire along the road and discovered the bomb upon a closer search.

September 20

A gun-fight broke out between SF and the CPI-Maoist cadres near Halanjur forests in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh following which a powerful IED was also recovered. The skirmish took place when a joint team of ITBP and District Force were out on an anti-Maoist operation under Sitagaon Police Station limits. On sensing Police near Halanjur forest, a group of Maoists opened fire on them. Later, a 10 kg IED, electric wire, Maoist posters and banners and other related materials were recovered.

September 21

A powerful IED weighing 50 kg, suspected to have been planted by CPI-Maoist, was unearthed by SFs from a road in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. Narayanpur ASP OP Sharma said the IED was unearthed when the CRPF's 139th battalion was on an anti-Maoist operation on Narayanpur-Antagarh road under Narayanpur Police Station limits.

A 15-kg IED, allegedly planted by the CPI-Maoist, was unearthed by Police in a forest area under Katekalyan Police Station limits in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada District.

September 23

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, carrying cash rewards on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma District, citing disappointment with the alleged exploitation of lower rank cadres by senior Maoist leaders and violence, reports ptinews.com. The cadres have been identified as Sushil Korsa alias Deva (23) and Ashok Tati (22). Ashok was a member of section 'A' of military platoon no. 26 of the CPI-Maoist active in Darbha region, and has been instrumental in executing several violent incidents in the region. He carried a reward of INR 200,000. Similarly, Sushil who was working as head of Chetna Natya Mandli (CNM)- a cultural wing of Maoists in Jagargunda area, was part of guerrilla squads that executed various deadly incidents in south Bastar. He carried a reward of INR 100,000.

Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda said, "Under patronage of Maoists, smuggling of timber, wild animal skins and their body parts is taking place in Chhattisgarh and its bordering States". The Minister was interacting with media persons at the Raipur Press Club.

September 24

A COBRA trooper was critically injured in a bomb explosion near Timilwada village of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. "Devraj Cherpa of the 206 COBRA battalion accidentally put his foot on a pressure bomb planted by Maoists near Timilwada village. He was rushed to Dornapal for treatment of multiple injuries," said Santosh Singh, ASP, Sukma District.

September 25

Bastar District Police of Chhattisgarh arrested seven persons and seized 1,750 kg of explosives from them. The Police said the explosives were sent to the CPI-Maoist. "We have seized 750 kg of Gelatin, 1,000 kg of Ammonium Nitrate, a big bundle of cardex wire, eight fake number plates of four-wheelers and three cars being used to supply the material to Maoists," S.R.P. Kalluri, IGP, Bastar Range, said in a statement. Gourishankar Mohanty, Anil Kumar Jena, Bhushan Kumar Gonda, Rajendra, Uttam Swain and Sujit Pani were arrested along with Kamalakanta Swain, a mining engineer. All are from Odisha.

September 26

Two cadres including a female cadre, of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter with a joint team of District Reserve Guard, DF and STF in Gangaloor area in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The joint squad of SF personnel engaged in anti-Naxal exercise had gunfight with insurgents in restive forest patch close to Pushnar village falling under limits of Gangaloor Police Station during morning hours, said Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela. Two rebels were gunned down in the encounter and Police personnel have also recovered the bodies of slain Naxals, said Elesela, adding that two firearms and some other articles were also recovered from the encounter spot.

A group of armed Maoists set ablaze a JCB machine heading towards Kongupalli to undertake some work for installation of a mobile tower in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place around six kilometers from the District headquarters during morning hours, said Police. After being informed about the incident, Police and fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

September 27

SFs unearthed a CPI-Maoist camp after a gun-battle with them in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. "The face-off between a joint team of security personnel and rebels took place in restive Chalechur hills under Korar Police Station limits on Saturday," Kanker SP, Jitendra Singh Meena, said.

The CRPF DG Prakash Mishra has said Maoists' writ runs in large swathes of south Chhattisgarh, posing the "biggest challenge" for SFs deployed for anti-Maoist operations. He said "South Chhattisgarh continues to pose the biggest challenge for Security Forces where almost 11,000 sq kms has no presence of Security Forces which gives Maoists the liberty to unleash their free reign. However, it is only a matter of time before the void is filled."

September 28

As many as 24 CPI-Maoist cadres, four of them women and a dozen carrying rewards ranging from INR 1000,00 to INR 5000,00 on their head, surrendered before Kondagaon District Police. Bastar IGP S.R.P. Kalluri was present on the occasion. Some of them were identified as Somori alias Kunti (28), carrying a reward of INR 5000,00, Badru Korram alias Jairam Korram (22), Sunita Nag (28) carrying INR 3000,00 reward each, and Dashru Koreti, Sajontin alias Dashri Kumeti, Dashru Ram Hidko alias Sandeep (25), Bijnu alias Baijan Singh (28), Jhitku, Vedram alias Sanjay (26), Laddi alias Santer Badde (25), Raj Bedia (50) and Ramji Ram (27), all carrying INR 1000,00 reward each.

An Auxiliary Constable of Chhattisgarh Police was abducted by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Bijapur District. The incident took place when Kudium Pandu (30), who was posted in Farsegad Police camp of Bijapur, was returning to his base camp after attending funeral of his mother-in-law in Talmendri village. "Kudium Pandu was returning to his base camp on a motorcycle along with two students from Talmendri village. Some Maoists stopped him a few kilometres away from Talmendri, tied his hands and took him along with them. The ultras did not abduct the students but asked them to take away Kudium Pandu's motorcycle. The students came to Farsegad and informed Police about the abduction," said Bijapur SP K.L. Dhruv. Earlier Kudium Pandu worked as a Special Police Officer (SPO) during Salwa Judum (anti-Maoist vigilante force) days before joining Chhattisgarh Police as an Auxiliary Constable in 2011.

To swiftly provide medical aid to troops undertaking anti-Maoist operations, the CRPF has set up four field hospitals deep inside Bastar in Chhattisgarh.

A local journalist, Santosh Yadav, working in Bastar region was arrested and booked under the Chhattisgarh Public Safety Act by the Bastar Police. He writes for two vernacular dailies and is a popular journalist for his fearless reporting. However, Bastar SP Ajay Yadav refused to consider him a journalist.

September 30

An Auxiliary Constable of Chhattisgarh Police - Kudium Pandu (30) - abducted by the CPI-Maoist on September 28 from Bijapur District was found dead. His body was discovered on the Talmendri-Farsegad Road. However, the Maoists had not left behind any note. According to some sources, Pandu's brother-in-law Dilip Bedja heads a Maoist squad in Farsegad area.

An active member of Maoists' small action team, identified as Hidma Podiyami (30), carrying cash reward of INR 2000,00, on his head was arrested by Police from Padarpara village under Nelasnar Police Station limits in Bijapur District.

October 1

A Constable - Manaru Ram Banjam - was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres in Bastar District. The incident took place at Burgum village under Burgum Police Station limits during evening hours when the victim was attending prayer in a temple.

October 3

A constable of CRPF was injured in an explosion that took place in Gorgunda village under Polampalli Police Station in Sukma District. The constable identified as Devendra Kumar suffered multiple injuries in the blast, said Sukma ASP.

October 4

SFs recovered two IEDs, allegedly planted by CPI-Maoist cadres, from separate places in Chhattisgarh's Kanker District. While an explosive weighing 10 kg was unearthed from Bande Police Station area, another of 5 kg was recovered from Siksod Police Station limits, Kanker SP Jitendra Singh Meena told.

A 36-year-old CPI-Maoist cadre who was allegedly involved in the May 25, 2013 Darbha valley attack on Congress leaders, has been arrested in Dantewada District, a senior Police officer said. The rebel identified as Joga Madkami was apprehended by a joint team of security forces from Chikanpal Patelpara village under Katekalyan Police Station limits.

October 6

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Harish Mandavi (22), carrying INR 1000,00 cash reward on his head surrendered before the Police in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. He was a member of Malangir local guerrilla squad.

October 7

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with SFs at Chandameta village forest under Darbha Police Station limits in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. The gun battle also led to the rescue of some villagers held hostage by the Maoists. Bastar's ASP Vijay Pandey said acting on a specific input about some people from Kandanar village being held hostage by the Maoists inside the forest, the joint squad of State Police's District Reserve Group and CRPF was dispatched to carry out searches. While they were cordoning off the forest area near Chandameta the exchange of fire took place. Thereafter, during a search at the spot, the body of a woman Maoist was found. A .315 bore and some .12 bore guns were also recovered. The slain Maoist has been identified as Piso.

A joint squad of SFs arrested three Maoists in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A team of DF and CoBRA arrested the three cadres, identified as Kawasi Somdu (30), Banjam Bheema (25) and Mandavi Rama (30), from Bhadrachalam region, said Sukma SP D. Shravan, adding that Somdu carried cash reward of INR 300,000 on his head while Bheema was carrying a reward of INR 100,000. Somdu was active in the region as a 'commander' of section-A under platoon number-4 and Bheema worked as 'militia commander' while Rama operated as a lower rank cadre.

Two Maoists were arrested from a passenger train in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. Following a tip-off about the presence of two Maoists in a passenger train running between Visakhapatnam and Kirandul, Police swung into action and arrested the duo, said Dantewada SP Kamlochan Kashyap, adding that the State Government had declared cash reward of INR 1000,00 each on them. The arrested Maoists were identified as Rajesh Bhaskar (20) and Mangal (22).

Two Maoists surrendered before Sukma District Police of Chhattisgarh. The Maoists were identified as Padam Raju (20) and Tati Masa (30). Raju a 'deputy commander' of Badesetti LOS carried a reward of INR 300,000 while Palachalma LOS member Tati carried a reward of INR 100,000 on his head.

October 8

Four troopers of the CoBRA were injured in separate incidents in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. While three personnel were hurt during a gunbattle between SFs and CPI-Maoist cadres in Tetri forests under Bhejji Police Station area, another sustained injuries in an IED blast in Chintagufa area, Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said. A constable identified as Mohan Patil, of the CoBRA's 206 battalion, accidently came in contact of the IED hidden beneath the soil that exploded injuring his legs, he said.

SFs recovered two powerful IEDs - suspected to have been planted by Maoists- from Injram-Bhejji road under the Bhejji police station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. The explosives were packed in steel containers. While one IED weighed 30 kilograms, another was around 20 kilograms, he added.

October 10

Two constables of CRPF sustained injuries in an IED blast in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The blast took place in Murdandha village falling in Awapalli Police Station limits in the morning, said Bijapur's ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela.

October 11

A villager, identified as Podiyami Kanna, was killed by suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist at Errabor weekly market under Errabor Police Station limits in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Maoists had killed Kanna's father two years ago.

Maoists set ablaze a truck and allegedly abducted its helper in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur District, Police said.

October 13

A CRPF trooper was injured in an IED blast in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Officials said the incident occurred along the forested Chintagufa-Burkapal axis when Constable D. Mani of the 74th battalion of the CRPF deployed in the south Bastar area for anti- CPI-Maoist duties and his team was out to sanitise a helipad for the landing of a chopper.

October 14

A powerful IED was recovered by SFs at National Highway No. 30 in Chhattisgarh's Sukma District.

SFs undertaking combing operation arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres in Sukma District, Police said. The arrested insurgents were identified as Madkami Dotel (28) and Madkami Somaru (20), said Sukma ASP Santosh Singh, elaborating that Dotel was carrying cash reward of INR 2,000 on his head. From their possession, SFs seized some conventional arms, added Singh.

The Chhattisgarh Police and central security agencies are gearing up for a major anti-Maoist offensive in restive Bastar region of the State in the coming weeks. According to sources, a major anti-Maoist operation might be launched anytime now, but the CRPF and the State Police remain divided on who would lead it. "Inspector-General of Police, Bastar range, S.R.P. Kalluri is keen on operating with the DRG (District Reserve Guard) which consists of mostly local Koya boys. However, the CPRF wants to operate with the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) with some help from the DRG," said a senior police officer based in Bastar. Another source informed, "...this time the operations would be properly planned and coordinated. All districts of Bastar would witness operations against the rebels but the main target is the Battalion area in Sukma and its chief Hidma."

October 16

Two labourers were injured in a pressure bomb explosion suspected to have been planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres near an under construction road in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.

October 18

CPI-Maoist cadres abducted two vendors in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. The incident took place at weekly market place of Yampur village under Pamed Police Station limits during morning hours, said Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela. The two vendors were identified as Jetti Ramkrishna (45) and Vemula Sathish (25).

October 19

Two troopers of CoBRA were injured when they stepped on a pressure bomb planted by CPI-Maoist cadres in the forest under Basaguda Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Earlier in the morning, a fierce gun fight broke out between SF personnel and Maoists when the former were cordoning off a forested patch near Chhote Tarrem village during their operation in Basaguda area. Later, 6-8 pipe bombs, pitthu (bags), Naxal posters, banners and other related materials were recovered.

October 20

SFs recovered three powerful IEDs, planted by CPI-Maoist cadres from Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A joint team of SFs recovered the explosives, weighing 20 kg each, while carrying out an anti-Maoist operation under Kistaram Police Station area of the District.

A joint team of STF and District Reserve Group arrested three Maoists from a forest close to Jaggavaram village falling under Bhejji Police Station limits in Sukma District. The arrested were identified as Kalmu Joga (20), Kalmu Sanna (45) and Sodi Hinga (35). During the course of interrogation, the trio admitted of being active in the outfit as Janmilitia members.

October 21

MI-17 helicopters of the IAF, deployed in Bastar region, would now open fire in self-defence when attacked by the Maoists. MI-17s are primarily used in rescue operations. "During some of these operations, the Maoists fired on the helicopters. To deal with this situation, senior police and IAF officers have decided to evolve a new strategy," said a statement from the Chhattisgarh Police Headquarters. According to an unnamed officer in Bastar, the choppers have been authorised to fire in retaliation for a long time.

A photograph of a senior Congress party leader in Bastar allegedly with two Maoist leaders has led to a storm in Chhattisgarh, triggering rumours that he is "trying to hatch a conspiracy to eliminate Bijapur MLA and State Minister for Forests Mahesh Gagda" with the help of militants.

October 22

Chhattisgarh Police arrested a woman CPI-Maoist cadre carrying a reward of INR 3000,00 on her head from Dantewada District. Acting on a specific input, the cadre was apprehended from Dhurli village under Bhansi Police Station limits. She was later identified as Somli Telam (27), 'deputy commander' of Mirtur LOS.

A Maoist couple carrying cash reward on their heads, surrendered along with weapons citing disappointment with the "anti-people" activities by the CPI-Maoist in Bastar. "Sannnu Poyam (40) and his wife Maini Majji (22), turned themselves at the police headquarters, Naya Raipur, expressing their desire to join the mainstream," ADGP (anti-Naxal operations) R.K. Vij said. The 'commander' of military platoon No. 13, Sannu, a native of Jangla in Bijapur district, has been involved in several Maoist incidents in south Chhattisgarh for over a decade, Vij added. He surrendered along with an AK-47 rifle. He was carrying a reward of INR 8000,00 on his head. Similarly, Maini was also a crucial member of the outfit who was delivering the role of a doctor for Bhairamgarh LGS in Bijapur. She carried a reward of 1000,00. Talking to reporters, surrendered cadre Sannu said, "I was disappointed with the activities of my colleagues like destroying school buildings, halting development works and snatching ration and ration card of villagers. People were both afraid and troubled with the activities of Maoists which prompted me to quit the movement."

CPI-Maoist cadres have killed a civilian, identified as Md Asim Ansari (48), at Chunchuna village under Samri Police Station limits in Balrampur District. The Maoists while taking Ansari along with them kept on beating him up saying that he was a police informer. They shot him twice a little further from the village and fled into jungles.

October 23

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze 35 vehicles deployed for road construction work at Tarlaguda in Bijapur District.

October 24

Police arrested as many as eight CPI-Maoist cadres including two senior leaders carrying cash rewards in Bijapur District. A police team undertaking anti-Naxal operation in the District arrested eight Maoists identified as Ayatu Modiyami, Kamlu Lekaam, Budhram Poyam, Sukhman Poyam, Maada Kunjami, Mangu Aayami, Rayalu Madkami and Sukhram Madkami, Police said. Ayatu was carrying a cash reward of INR 300,000 and working as 'Deputy Commander' of a LGS and the Government had declared cash reward INR 200,000 on head of Kamlu who was active in the region as member of platoon number-2 whereas other arrested Maoists were active in the organisation as lower rank cadres, Police further informed.

A Maoist cadre identified as president of Dandakaranya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (DKMS) Raghunath Gavde, surrendered before the Police in Bijapur District along with a country-made pistol and 13 live cartridges. During preliminary investigation, it came to light that Gavde was associated with the Maoist movement since last 15 years and has worked on various capabilities, added Police.

A wanted Maoist, carrying a reward of INR 200,000 on his head, identified as Shivcharan Uike (25), has been arrested from Bajarpara area under Koyalibeda Police Station limits in Kanker District. During interrogation, Uike admitted to his involvement with the Maoist movement as an active member of platoon No 25 of Rowghat 'area committee' of the Maoists in north Bastar region.

October 27

Chhattisgarh State Government upgraded the security cover of State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagada to Z+ category after some rumours of "conspiracies" by the CPI-Maoist to target him appeared.

October 28

Three Constables of the CRPF were injured in an IED blast in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. A pressure IED, planted by the Maoists, exploded near Burkapal CRPF camp of Sukma when a team of CRPF's 74th battalion was out as a road opening party. Three CRPF men suffered injuries in the incident. The explosion took place when one trooper accidentally put his foot on the pressure IED.

October 29

A Constable of the CAF, Samund Dewangan, succumbed to injuries, after he was critically injured in a CPI-Maoist orchestrated IED blast in a forest patch close to Pandemurga village under Nelasnar Police Station limits in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. While combing in the forest patch, Dewangan accidentally stepped over an IED leading to the blast.

A group of heavily-armed Maoists set ablaze at least five vehicles at Gumda village under Geedam Police Station limits in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh.

October 30

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed two persons, identified as Brujlal Tulavi (27) and Anil Kalko (30) of Kergatta village in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh and threw their bodies near Sawargaon village on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. The Maoists left a handwritten note near the bodies accusing Tulavi and Kalko of running a "secret network of police informers" in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

The Maoists set ablaze 29 vehicles near Chargaon mines in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. A group of 60 to 70 Maoists thrashed some drivers and cleaners of these vehicles resulting in injuries to many of them.

The Maoists set ablaze a passenger bus in Bhopalpatnam block of Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. No one was hurt in the incident as the Maoists asked the passenger to alight before setting it on fire. The incident took place on Dedheda-Gorella road of Bhopalpatnam and the Maoists also left pamphlets appealing for 'Bhopalpatnam Bandh' in protest of the arrest of Maoist leader Bhima Singh.

The Dantewada District Police of Chhattisgarh arrested two Maoists from Jhiraka area of the District. "Bhima alias Somaru Telami and Ayata alias Budhu Barasa were arrested by the DRG on Friday. Both the Maoists were active between Bhansi and Kamalur area of Dantewada," said a press statement issued by Dantewada Police.

October 31

A joint squad of DF and DRG arrested two cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested Maoists were identified as Bheema Telami (25) and Ayatu, and the duo was active as 'jan militia' members. During interrogation it was learnt that Bheema was involved in various Naxal incidents including six killings, loot, damaging Railway property and others. Ayatu was involved in incidents which took place in the region during the recent past. The arrested Maoists were allegedly involved in setting ablaze OHE wagon on October 29, between Bhansi and Kamaloor in Dantewada District.

November 1

A joint squad of DF and DRG arrested two Maoists, identified as Lachunu Kashyap (35) and Kuldhar Kashyap (35), in Kondagaon District of Chhattisgarh. The arrested Maoists were active members of Bedma Jan militia. A team of SF personnel while undertaking anti-Naxal exercise in the forest patches close to village Bedma under Mardapal Police Station, arrested the two Maoists. During interrogation, the duo revealed themselves as members of Bedma jan militia and admitted of being involved in various Naxal incidents.

November 2

A CPI-Maoist 'commander', identified as Rigu Muriya (25), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, was arrested in Kondagaon District. Muriya was arrested from the forests of Chema village under Mardapal Police Station limits, Kondagaon SP J. S .Watti said.

November 3

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were killed by the SFs in Sukma District. The gun battle ensued when a group of armed Maoists opened indiscriminate fire on a joint team of CoBRA, STF and the state's DRG, who were conducting anti-Maoist operation in the region. SFs retaliated and the gunfight lasted for around two hours. The Police recovered bodies of three Maoists along with two rifles from the spot.

After gunning down the three Maoists in an encounter in Sukma, Chhattisgarh Police said the SFs would continue its operation with an aim to hunt down top Maoist leaders. Talking to reporters at Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar, IGP, Bastar range, S.R.P. Kalluri said senior Maoist leaders, who hail from the neighbouring states, usually push the local dalam members in the forefront. "Our aim is to cordon the area and strike against the Maoist leadership", he added.

Eight Maoists were arrested from different places in Bijapur District by a joint team of CRPF and DF. Eight Maoists identified as Santu Kuhrami, Bheema Singh, Madvi Lakhmu, Podiyami Boli, Podiyami Kumma, Badru Telam, Aaytu Kudiyam and Vijja Kudiyam were arrested from separate places falling under limits of Toynar, Awapalli and Madded Police Station.

SF personnel undertaking combing operation in Madded region arrested Santu and Bheema after an encounter and also recovered two muzzle loading guns from their possession, informed Police. Santu was active member of platoon number-11 while Bheema was working as Bhadrakali 'jan (people's) militia' Commander, Police said, adding that Santu was carrying cash reward of INR 200,000 while the Government has declared INR 100,000 reward on Bheema. The duo was involved in the incident of setting as many as 37 vehicles on fire in Bijapur on October 30, added Police. Lakhmu who was active in the banned organization as head of Nukanpal Jantana Sarkar, was also arrested after an encounter, Police said and informed that a muzzle loading gun, two country-made pistols and other articles were recovered from his possession. Other arrested cadres were working in lower ranks, added Police.

November 4

SFs, recovered two IEDs, planted allegedly by CPI-Maoist cadres near a Police Station in Sukma District. A joint team of SF personnel found the IEDs while carrying out a demining exercise near Fulbagdi Police Station on Kerlapal-Fulbagdi road, Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said. While one IED weighed 10 kilograms, another was of two kilograms, he said.

Police recovered a five-kilogram tiffin bomb and a pipe bomb from Mardapal Police Station area of Kondagaon District. While carrying out a demining exercise between Khodsanar- Ranapal villages following a tip-off, a Police team spotted the tiffin bomb planted at an under-construction bridge, a Police official said. A detonator and 200 metres of wire were also seized from the spot. Subsequently, SF personnel recovered a pipe bomb between Mundipadar and Handapal village on the same route, he said, adding that the bombs were immediately diffused by Bomb Disposal Squad.

Maoist leader Vinod, who played a key role in the 2013 Maoist ambush on the Congress convoy at Jiram Ghati in Bastar District on May 25, 2013, in which 31 people were killed, is believed to have been taken hostage by his colleagues. Vinod, who heads Kanger valley area committee, an unit of CPI-Maoist functioning in Darbha region in Bastar District, has been kept under 24-hour-vigil by Maoist cadres in a Maoist camp in forest area under Darbha area, when the local Maoist leadership got to know about his apparent bid to surrender before the Police to get medical treatment, intelligence sources said.

November 5

Five CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before Police in Sukma District. Three surrendered cadres identified as Podia (25), Muiya (25) and Kosa (18) were active members of DKMS of the CPI-Maoist, while two others were Maoist militia members, who were identified as Deva (35) and Deva (40).

November 6

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in a fierce gun-battle with SFs in Bijapur District. The exchange of fire took place in the restive area under the Basaguda Police Station limits, Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said. After the face-off, the SFs found the body of the Maoist in uniform, a gun and two pipe bombs.

November 9

Seven cadres of CPI-Maoist, four of them carrying reward on their heads, surrendered in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. "One of them, identified as Joga (20), had worked as a 'section deputy commander' of platoon no. 8 and was one of the most dreaded cadres in the region," the ASP Santosh Singh said, adding that he was carrying a reward of INR 3000,00 on his head. Joga surrendered along with a muzzle-loading gun. Three more cadres, identified as Hidma, Bandi and Muda - all members of Jan Militia - were also carrying reward worth INR 3000, INR 2000 and INR 5000, respectively. Among others who also joined mainstream are Lachha, Raja and Vaga, all members of DAKMS.

A villager, said to be mentally disturbed, was killed by CPI-Maoist cadres on the suspicion of being a 'Police informer' in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh. The body of Fagu Markaam was found in the forests of Orchha Police Station limits with his throat slit, Narayanpur SP Abhishek Meena said.

November 12

Panic prevailed in Narayanpur District of Chhattisgarh when a tiffin bomb was found on a main road leading to the office of the District Collector. The bomb was kept on a CPI-Maoist banner which appealed to the people "not to surrender to the police."

November 13

Four CPI-Maoist cadres, including the 'intelligence chief' of Bhairamgarh unit of the party were killed in an encounter with the SFs in the forested terrain of Hallur in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. "Acting on a specific tip-off from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) about the possible major attack planned by Maoists in the region, a joint team of Bijapur District Police force and specially trained District Reserve Guards (DRG) launched the search operation. Close to Hallur, the rebels opened fire on the forces. In the ensuing gun-battle, four Maoists, including the head of intelligence wing of Bhairamgarh unit, identified as Rainu, were killed," the ASP of Bijapur, Indira Kalyan Elesela said. There is no report of any injury sustained by the forces. Following an hour-long gunfight, the bodies of four rebels were recovered from the encounter site along with their weapons. "The police found a pistol, two rifles and a 12 bore gun from the spot," Elesela, who planned the operation, further said.

November 13

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested in a joint operation by local Police and BSF from Siksod Police Station area in Chhattisgarh's Kanker District. The Maoists were identified as Shatruram (39) and Saradu Ram Dhruv (31).

November 16

Two PLFI cadres, identified as Baijnath (19) and Ramkeshwar (19), were arrested from Jagbadi village forests in Balrampur District. They were close aides of Bokha, 'commander' of PLFI, who is trying to expand its group on the Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand border.

A senior CPI-Maoist leader, arrested for his involvement in some major attacks, allegedly committed suicide in Police custody in Narayanpur District. Baman alias Dinesh, a resident of Tondbeda village in Narayanpur and member of the Maoist Military Company No.2, was found dead in the interrogation cell in the Police lines.

November 18

A joint squad of CRPF and DF arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres from Bater village falling under Konta Police Station limits in Sukma District. The duo was identified as Madvi Mada alias Ramesh (22) and Kawasi Hinga (40).

November 19

Two cadres, including a woman 'commander', of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter with a joint team of CRPF and the District Police in Sukma District. Around 8 a.m. on, the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire at the team near the Kolayiguda forest. The security personnel retaliated, forcing the Maoists to flee into the forest. The dead bodies of two Maoists were recovered from the encounter spot, a press release issued by Sukma Police said. The woman Maoist carried a reward of INR 500,000 on her head.

November 22

Four women cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in an encounter with SFs in Sukma District. "A team, comprising Dantewada District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), conducted a joint operation under Gadisras police station limits on the Sukma-Dantewada border. An encounter took place between the joint team and the Maoists at Nagalguda hills in the morning and a camp of Maoists' Malangir area committee was busted. Bastar police have recovered four bodies of uniformed Maoists, along with a 303 service rifle and two 12-bore rifles. They are all women," S.R.P. Kalluri, IG of Police, Bastar range, said. The IG claimed that Ayatu, the divisional committee member of Darbha division of the CPI-Maoist, was shot from close range and sustained multiple bullet injuries during the encounter. "However, he managed to flee leaving behind a truck load of camp items of the Maoists on the spot. This is second such success of our composite team," added Kalluri. One of the Maoists killed on November 22 was identified as Rame, the Malangir area committee member of CPI-Maoist. Other three have been identified as Sanni, Mase and Pandy, all members of Maoists LOS.

A government-run passenger bus was set ablaze by the Maoists in Dantewada District.

November 23

A team of CRPF undertaking anti-Maoist operation on Jagargunda-Dornapal route falling under Polampalli Police Station limits in Sukma District recovered two IEDs near Kankerlanka hills. The IEDs could be around 10 kg each.

The personnel of District Force recovered an IED weighing around 15 kg placed by Maoists close to village Dharampenta falling under Kistaram Police Station limits in Sukma District.

Maoists torched a private passenger bus in Sukma District after asking passengers to alight from the bus. The bus was heading towards Hyderabad from Jagdalpur when about 50 armed Maoists surrounded the bus near Tahakwada dense forest on NH-30. Subsequently, SFs were rushed to the spot in a MPV keeping in view the sensitivity of the region. Near Tahakwada, Maoists fired few rounds on the MPV but soon fled from the spot as the back-up forces reached there and launched retaliatory action.

Two Maoists, including a woman, who were active on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border and carried a reward of INR 500,000 on their head, were arrested from the forests of Bortalav Police Station limits in Rajnandgaon District. The cadres were identified as Manisha alias Jani Kovachi (29) and Manglu Sori (21).

Three Maoists including a female cadre surrendered before the Police in Dantewada District. The surrendered Maoists include a 'deputy commander' of Local Operating Squad.

November 24

A CPI-Maoist 'commander', identified as Padia, was killed by the DRG in Dantewada District. Acting on a tip off, 10 personnel of the DRG launched an operation at a weekly market at Faraspal near Tongpal in Dantewada region. Spotting Padia, the Maoist 'commander' of military "Platoon Number 13", the SFs tried to nab him when indiscriminate firing broke out from all sides. He was killed in retaliatory attack, leading to other Maoists fleeing into the nearby forest. His body was recovered along with a 303 rifle, nine rounds, 315 bore revolver and six live rounds from the spot, Dantewada SP Kamalochan Kashyap said.

Four Maoists including a woman cadre were arrested in Kanker District who were involved in torching 26 vehicles engaged in mining work at Chargaon-Metabodli mines on October 30. The Maoists were identified as Faguram Mandavi, Panchlal Usendi, Sumitra Darro and Ramesh Vetti.

Two security personnel, one of them belonging to CRPF's specialised unit of CoBRA, were injured in a pressure bomb blast triggered by the Maoists in Bijapur District. The incident took place in the forests near Lenda village under Basaguda Police Station limits when a joint team of CRPF and District Force was carrying out an anti-Maoist operation, a CRPF official said.

The Maoists set ablaze 22 heavy vehicles deployed for transporting iron ore in Kanker District. Kanker Police said the Maoists thrashed the drivers before setting the vehicles on fire, which were engaged in the Hahaladdi mines.

November 25

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed by SFs in Bijapur District. The skirmish occurred at around 5 p.m. between a joint team of SFs and Maoists in Kurcholi village forests under Basaguda Police Station limits of the district, said Bijapur ASP, Indira Kalyan Elesela.

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist, allegedly involved in setting ablaze a government-run bus recently, were arrested in Dantewada District. The cadres - Deuram (25), Bhura (30), Sondhar (20), Sakharam (25) and Nilesh (32) were apprehended from a forested hill near their native place Marjum village under Katekalyan Police Station limits, SHO Katekalyan Police Station Vijay Patel said. They were allegedly involved in torching a Jan Suvidha Express Bus while it was heading towards Dantewada from Katekalyan on November 23 after asking the passengers to alight. Besides they were also allegedly involved in cutting roads affecting vehicular movement during Maoist bandh call, the SHO said.

November 26

As many as 140 remote villages and hamlets in Maoist-affected areas of Chhattisgarh which have no electricity supply even 68 years after the country's independence will soon be illuminated with solar power. The villages, mostly located in the dense forests of Bastar division and some in Sarguja division, will soon have solar power through a project being executed by the state-run Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency under the Remote Village Electrification Programme.

November 27

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in a fierce encounter with SFs in the forest of Tumnar under Dhanora Police Station limits in Abhujmad area of Narayanpur District. IG, Bastar Range, S.R.P. Kalluri said keeping in view the PLGA week, starting from December 2-8, during which the Maoists step up their activities, Narayanpur SP Abhishek Meena had launched a series of operations in Abhujmad area, considered a key base of CPI-Maoist. While they were cordoning off a forest axis between Bedmameta and Gattakal villages, a huge group of military company no 1 of CPI-Maoist opened indiscriminate firing on them after which a heavy gun-battle broke out between the two sides that lasted for around two hours, the IG added. Later, when searching was carried at spot, bodies of two Maoists clad in 'uniforms' were found and their weapons recovered, he said.

November 28

A CRPF trooper was injured in a pressure bomb blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist in Sukma District. The incident occurred this morning when a team of 74th battalion of CRPF was on its way for security duty at Chintalnar weekly market, Sukma SP D. Shrawan said. Ahead of the weekly market, a Constable accidentally came in contact with a pressure bomb planted by the Maoists that exploded injuring him, he added. "The jawan sustained minor injuries on his legs in the incident," the SP added.

November 30

A CPI-Maoist 'section commander', carrying a reward of INR 800,000 on his head, was arrested in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The commander, identified as Pungar Mandavi (30) Raghu was arrested from Dantewada town by a small action team of DRG, Dantewada, SP, Kamlochan Kashyap said. He was serving as a 'section commander' of military platoon-II and headed the west Bastar division action team of Maoists. Acting on a tip-off about his arrival in Dantewada to keep an eye on the recently surrendered cadres, a team of DRG, dressed as civilians, laid a trap in the area.

December 1

Security in the CPI-Maoist-hit parts of Chhattisgarh, especially Bastar region, has been intensified as Maoists are observing the PLGA Week from December 2.

December 2

Two Police personnel were injured in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh as the rebels struck on the first day of the PLGA week. The explosion occurred in the morning when a joint team of BSF and District Police Force were cordoning off a forested patch near Markanar village under Koyalibeda Police Station limits.

Three Maoists including two female cadres surrendered before the Police in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh. They were identified as Kosi Markam alias Shanti, Rambati Korram alias Irpa and Sanatram Nag alias Mahesh alias Medha. The State Government had declared cash reward of INR 200,000 on Kosi Markam. Rambati Korram was the 'deputy commander' of Barsur Janmilita and a member of Maoist front organization Chetna Natya Mandali. She carried a reward of INR 100,000 on her.

December 4

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kawasi Pandu (40), who had escaped from jail in Dantewada District in 2007, was arrested from Jhadipara at Jiram village under Darbha Police Station limits in Bastar District of Chhattisgarh.

A cache of explosives and weapons were recovered from the forest area under Tadoki Police Station limits in Kanker District of Chhattisgarh. Senior Police officials said teams of SSB and local Police were sent to patrolling in the area on December 4. They received information about explosives and weapons being hidden allegedly by Maoists in the area, they said. A .32 mm pistol, one round, 11 pistols, 20 detonators, 15 SLR rounds, 25 Insas rifle rounds, 6 gelatin tube, 2.6 kg gelatin liquid, 18 kg iron pieces, 2 packets of 'sutali' bomb, 1 SLR, insas magazine, 52 pencil cells and an IED remote were recovered, Police said.

December 6

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Ludru Tamo (26), was arrested from Geedam town of Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh. He carried a reward of INR 500,000 on his head. Tamo, who was a 'deputy commander' of a LOS was spotted by Police informers in Geedam market where he had arrived to procure commodities of daily use and publicity items for ongoing PLGA week.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Aayta Madkami, with a reward of INR 500,000 on his head and accused of major attacks including killing of a journalist and massacre of 11 CRPF troopers, was arrested along with his rifle and eight kilogram tiffin bombs from the forests of Darbha region in Bastar District. He was a member of Kaanger Valley 'area committee' and was the 'president' of DKMS.

December 7

A four-month-old baby boy was killed and his mother injured when the CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly attacked them with sticks at Todka village under Gangaloor Police Station limits in Bijapur District. Bijapur ASP Indira Kalyan Elesela said "As per the preliminary information, a villager Tati Ayitu and his wife were allegedly kidnapped by the rebels along with their child on December 7 for some unknown reason. Ayitu managed to flee from their clutches soon, leaving behind his wife and child." After his escape, Maoists beat up Ayitu's wife, who was holding her infant in her arms, with sticks. The child was fatally hit during the attack and died on the spot, the ASP said quoting the complaint. The Maoists then buried the child and fled from the spot leaving the woman injured, he added.

December 8

Five security personnel, including two STF troopers, were injured when the CPI-Maoist cadres ambushed a team of SFs around Kistaram area in Sukma District. Police also claimed to have gunned down at least 15 Maoists in the encounter although no bodies were recovered from the spot.

Chhattisgarh Police arrested a hardcore Maoist, identified as Ramadhar Korram alias Raisingh alias Manu (29), carrying cash reward of INR 800,000 on his head, from a forested patch under Mardapal Police Station limits in Kondagaon District. He also worked as 'deputy commander' of Section Number 2 of Maoist Platoon Number 1.

26 Maoists have surrendered in Sukma District. Altogether 26 Maoists, five of them carrying cash rewards on their heads, turned themselves in before Sukma Collector Neeraj Bansod, senior police and CRPF officials at Polamapalli Police Station citing disappointment with the Maoist ideology.

December 10

A CAF trooper - Ashwini Singh Rajput - was killed when the CPI-Maoist cadres attacked him near a Police camp in Narayanpur District. As per preliminary information, a group of armed Maoists opened fire on a team of security personnel while they were patrolling outside the CAF's camp at Amdai village coming under Chhotedongar Police Station limits. The firing by Maoists led to a gun-battle between the two sides, according to Narayanpur SP Abhishek Meena.

Five security personnel were injured when Maoists ambushed a team of SFs in Sukma District. "The exchange of fire took place between a joint team of STF, state's DRG and rebels when security forces were out on an anti-Naxal operation in Kistaram area," IGP, (anti-Naxal operations) Deepanshu Kabra said.

To improve the banking facilities in the Maoist-affected areas, 150 branches of nationalised banks will be opened in eight insurgency-hit Districts of Chhattisgarh.

December 11

Two Maoists carrying cash reward of INR 100,000 each on their heads, were arrested from separate places in Dantewada District. While a cadre identified as Madvi Mangu (23) was apprehended from Surnar forest under Katekalyan Police Station limits, another Maoist Hapka Raju was arrested from Dantewada town, Dantewada SP Kamlochan Kashyap said.

December 13

As many as 19 CPI-Maoist cadres, two of them senior rank cadres who were carrying cash reward on their heads, surrendered in Kondagaon District. The two dreaded cadres have been identified as Hemchand Mandavi alias Ballu (35), who was 'deputy commander' of Chargaon LOS of Maoists and Jairam Korram (36), who was heading Mandoda Chetna Natya Manch - a cultural wing of the Maoists.

December 15

A CRPF trooper, identified Srinivas belonging to 229th battalion, was injured in a pressure-bomb blast in Bijapur District. The incident took place at a bridge on a rivulet under Awapalli Police Station limits when a ROP of SFs was conducting its task, Bijapur DySP K.C. Toppo said.

The South Bastar Divisional Committee of the CPI-Maoist termed the recent surrender of 26 of its cadres in Bastar on December 8, 2015 as fake. A poster found in Sukma District said that 26 common men were picked form a weekly market at Pollampalli and labeled as Maoists. The Maoists also refuted the Police claim of the death of Papa Rao.

December 16

The CPI-Maoist allegedly killed two youths, including a school student, suspecting them to be 'Police informers' in Rajnandgaon District. The bodies of the youths, identified as Manish Yadav and Pakhel Gond, bearing bullet injuries were found near Kumharwada village under Bakarkatta Police Station limits, Rajnandgaon SP Sundarraj. P said. A group of armed cadres dragged out both Yadav and Gond from their native villages and allegedly shot them dead.

Five Maoists, three of them carrying cash rewards, surrendered in Narayanpur District citing disappointment with the "violent" activities of the Maoists, Police said. The cadres turned themselves in before senior Police officials saying that they were frustrated with violent activities of Maoists and at the same time were impressed with Chhattisgarh Government's surrender policy, Narayanpur ASP O.P. Sharma said. The ASP said of them, Dhananjay Dhruva alias Ajay (28) was the most dreaded one and was deployed as 'section commander' of military platoon no. 5 of military company - 1 of Maoists. He was carrying a reward of INR 800,000, the ASP added. Bhagat Kowachi alias Vilas (23), who was the 'section commander' of military platoon no. 17, was a prominent cadre in the region and carried INR 300,000 reward. Another key cadre, Mansingh (40), was active as member of Partapur area committee and carried a reward of INR 100,000. The two other cadres - Rasiya Padda (25) and Sannu Dhruva (29) - were involved in supplying commodities of daily use to Maoists and spreading their propaganda.

December 17

Five CPI-Maoist cadres including Jan militia range committee members were arrested by SFs in Dantewada District. They were identified as Sonaram Madvi (22), Bodma Madvi (30), Guddu alias Mangal alias Guddi (25), Sunil (22) and Jaminath (26).

December 18

A CPI-Maoist 'commander' was killed in an exchange of fire with Police in Kondagaon District. The body of Ranader clad in "uniform" was recovered after the skirmish took place between a team of DRG and Maoists in forests under Bayanar Police Station limits, IGP Bastar Range, S.R.P. Kalluri said.

A wanted woman CPI-Maoist leader, identified as Sukmati alias Basanti, surrendered before the Police in Bijapur District. Sukmati worked as the head of the National Park 'area committee' of the Maoists and had a bounty of INR.800, 000 on her head. She was wanted for her involvement in an attack which killed three civilians.

December 21

Kanker District recorded 179 incidents of Maoist violence, while witnessing 14 deaths and loss of property of over INR 90.08 million between 2013-14 and November 15, 2015, informed State Home Minister Ramsevak Paikra in the Chhattisgarh Assembly.

December 23

A former village sarpanch, identified as Hadma Ram (45), was abducted and killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the suspicion of being a 'Police informer' in Dantewada District. The former sarpanch of Nilawaya village panchayat, was found lying in a pool of blood on Aranpur-Sameli road near his native place under Aranpur Police Station limits. "The victim had been abducted by some armed Naxals from his house at Armebandi Para in Nilawaya last night and his body was found this morning on the road, located around 450 kms away from the state capital, following which police were informed," a Police official said.

Two Maoists including a woman surrendered in Bastar District. They were identified as Haldhar Korram (20), 'deputy commander' of LGS in East Bastar Division and Madkam Mukke alias Geeta Konta, an LGS member. While Haldhar was carrying a reward of INR 3000,00, INR 1000,00 was announced for Geeta's arrest, the IG said.

December 24

The Bastar Police claimed that around "1,500 villagers" from the Chintalnar area of Sukma District "arranged" the surrender of 70 alleged Maoists in the "biggest event of Maoist surrender till date." "Seventy Maoists surrendered before the Police at the Chintalnar Police camp in Sukma in the presence of Bastar Inspector-General of Police S.R.P. Kalluri," said a statement issued by the Sukma District Police.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed by SFs personnel during an encounter in Kapnar village under Pakhnar Police outpost of Darbha area in Bastar District. A joint squad of CAF, DRG and District Police had launched a combing operation in the area surrounding Pakhnar since December 25 early morning. As they were cordoning-off a forested hill between Kapnar and Toynar, a group of armed cadres opened indiscriminate fire on them, prompting the SF personnel to retaliate. However, the Maoists soon fled the spot as the SFs zeroed in on them. Later, during a search, the body of a Maoist clad in 'uniform' and a weapon were recovered from the spot.

December 26

Acting on intelligence inputs, Chhattisgarh Police arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres from Bhansi Police Station area in Dantewada District. Those arrested were identified as Sai alias Sahi (30), Kama Telami (27), Laxman (30) and Rajesh (35).

December 27

Eight Maoists were arrested from different places in Sukma District. Three Maoists were arrested from the forests of Jagargunda Police Station area while five others were nabbed from Chintalanar Police Station limits, Sukma ASP Santosh Singh said.

December 28

A suspected woman Maoist cadre, identified as Mangoti Korram, who was allegedly involved in violence during panchayat elections early this year (2015), was arrested under Amabeda Police Station area in Kanker District. She was carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on her head. Korram was a member of Kiskodo LOS and allegedly involved in looting of EVMs at Alanar village during panchayat polls held in 2015.

A high voter turnout of over 75 per cent was recorded in eleven urban bodies election in Chhattisgarh where polling was held amid tight security. The polling was held in one municipal corporation, four municipal councils and six nagar panchayats to elect a mayor, ten presidents of municipal councils and nagar panchayats, and 241 corporators.

December 29

CPI-Maoist cadres have killed a postmaster - Sujit Modiymi - in Dantewada District. Sujit was found dead near his village Fulfad. He was abducted on December 25 on suspicion of being a "Police informer." The Maoists also left a handwritten note near the body of the postmaster. 23 Maoists including three women cadres surrendered before the Chhattisgarh Police in Bastar District. As per the statement of the Maoists, they were largely influenced by the messages spread in the recent anti-Maoist rallies in Bastar region besides provisions of the surrender policy that prompted them to quit arms, Bastar SP R.N. Dash said.

December 30

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sudan Korram, wanted in connection with murder of a Police Constable and several other crimes, was arrested from his house at Erandarwal village under Mardapal Police Station limits in Kondagaon District.

December 30

A number of arms and ammunition were recovered from a forested patch near Bhusapur in Dantewada District following a gun battle between the Police and the CPI-Maoist. According to the Police, based on intelligence inputs regarding presence of insurgents in the jungles of Awapalli, a contingent of District Police and District Reserve Group was sent to the area. Seven muzzle guns, country made gun, pipe bomb, wire, detonators, live rounds of 315 bore gun, Maoist literature and other items of daily use were seized from the spot.

Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
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