Identities Revealed, Be it Naxalites or Congress!

In what appears to be the biggest anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, security forces have neutralised 29 Naxalites, including top Maoist Commander Shankar Rao, who had a bounty of Rs. 25,00,000 on his head.

The encounter occurred in the Chhote Bethia forest, where a fierce gun battle ensued between Naxal terrorists and a combined team of the District Reserve Guards (DRG) and the Border Security Force (BSF).

The Maoist organisation's spokesperson, Ramko Hichami, released a list containing the names of the killed Naxalites. Among them are prominent figures such as Shankar, Rita, Vinod, and others, each associated with various divisions and districts.

• 1. Shankar – Secretariat member of North Bastar Divisional Committee. (Undivided Warangal District, Chityal Mandal, Challagariga Villager)
  
  
• 2. Rita (Ramco Daron) Kotri AC Member, RKB Division. (Mohala-Manpur District, Manpur Block, Halora Panchayat)
  
  
• 3. Vinod (Sannu Gawde) Aundhi Mohla Joint AC Member, RKB Division. (Mohla-Manpur District, Manpur Block, Halora Panchayat)
  
  
• 4. Sukhlal (Suklu Padda) Block Chhindpur, Pratappur AC Member, North Bastar Division, Narayanpur District
  
  
• 5. Ravi/Bachanu Madvi PPCM, SMC Squad Commander (Bijapur District, Bhairamgarh Block, Auchem Village Resident)
  
  
• 6. Ramesh Oyam PPC Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Bhairamgarh Block, Vechhapal Villager)
  
  
• 7. Badru Badse PPC Member, Sub Zonal AT Commander (Sukma District, Karengudem Village)
  
  
• 8. Anita Upendi PPC Member, 5th Company. (Narayanpur District, Orchha Block, Bondos Villager)
  
  
• 9. Rajita Senior Party Member, Mendkhi LOS, North Bastar Division. (Adilabad District)
  
  
• 10. Geeta (Punnai Pudo) Senior Party Member, Mendki LOS, North Bastar Division. (Kanker district, Koilibeda block, Varakud villager)
  
  
• 11. Surekha Sidami Party Member, SMC Staff (Gadchiroli District, Midandapalli Villager)
  
  
• 12. Kavita Sodi Party Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Ussur Block, Nendur Villager)
  
  
• 13. Roshan (Kosal Madvi) Party Member, SZDCM Guard (Dantewada District, Katekalyan Area)
  
  
• 14. Karthik (Sonu Madvi) Party Member, Guard of SZDCM (Dantewada District, Katekalyan Area) Party Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Bhairamgarh Block, Marrum Village)
  
  
• 15. Sharmila Podium Party - Villager) Member, SMC Staff (Narayanpur, Orchha Block, Nelnar Area, Batweda)
  
  
• 16. Sanjila - PLGA Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Karka Village)
  
  
• 17. Bhume - PLGA Member, SZDCM Guard (Bijapur District, Usur Block, Village Appel)
  
  
• 18. Lalu (Avinash) Sunkanpalli (Ukud) Village – PLGA Member, SMC Staff. (Bijapur District, Lingagiri Panchayat)
  
  
• 19. Sajanti (Lakmi Nuroti) PLGA member, Mendki LOS, North Bastar Division (Narayanpur District, Kumudgunda Villager, Parents: Sundari, Pandral)
  
  
• 20. Bajnath Padda - PLGA Member, Mendkhi LOS, North Bastar Division (Narayanpur District, Vatekal Villagers, Parents: Mook-Sukhram)
  
  
• 21. Jenny Nuroti PLGA Member, Mendhki LOS, North Bastar Division (Kanker District, Kalpar resident)
  
  
• 22. Pintu Oyam Gottum Villager) PLGA Member, North Sub Zonal AT Member (Bijapur District, Bhairamgarh Block)
  
  
• 23. Jinu (Guddu) PLGA Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Bijapur Block, Durda Villager)
  
  
• 24. Janila (Moti Kovachi) PLGA Member, SMC Staff (Bijapur District, Patnam Block, Koranjed Villager)
  
  
• 25. Sunila Madakam Rekhawaya, Got Para villager) PLGA member, SZCM guard, (Narayanpur District, Orchha Block)
  
  
• 26. Sital Madvi Takilod, Villager) - PLGA Member, Guard of SZCM (Bijapur District, Bhairamgarh Block)
  
  
• 27. Raju Kursam - PLGA Member, Guard of SZCM (Bijapur District, Kutru Block, Parkel Village Resident)
  
  
• 28. Shilo (Bijapur district, Tumnar Panchayat, Kuvem villager)
  
  
• 29. Dewal - PLGA Member, Press Team (Bijapur District, Tumnar Panchayat, Parents - Urre & Sonal)

Following the encounter of the 29 naxalites, the opposition (Congress) has started to question in disbelief that the killed Naxals are not Naxals but innocent villagers. This clearly shows how incompetent the previous Congress government was to tackle Naxal terrorism in the region. As the BJP-led state government is now focusing on the Naxal issue properly and effectively, the Congress is unable to digest the facts.

Chhattisgarh State Congress Chief Deepak Baij echoed Baghel's statements, demanding clarity from the government regarding the identities of the deceased. He pointed to the possibility of innocent tribal individuals being included in the fatalities and warned of serious repercussions if proven true. 

Addressing a press conference, Baij pointed to the need for the government to respond to the allegations, citing Bhupesh Baghel's stature as a former Chief Minister and the gravity of his claims. He asked the government to clarify whether all 29 casualties were indeed Naxals or if some innocent villagers were mistakenly targeted.

Moreover, Congress Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinet said, “Our condolences to those who were martyred and some of our security personnel who were injured.”

However, State Deputy CM Vijay Sharma dismissed the Congress' allegations, questioning their credibility and the motive behind raising doubts about the bravery of the security forces. He vehemently defended the authenticity of the encounter, highlighting the risks faced by soldiers and the recovery of weapons from the scene. Sharma criticised the Congress for undermining the government and security forces' efforts to combat Naxal terrorism.

Nonetheless, the Congress' charges were swiftly rebuffed by Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, who denounced their claims as baseless and detrimental to the morale of security forces.

After all these allegations, it has been proven how incompetent the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government was. During their tenure, the anti-Naxal operations were not that great. Now, if the current BJP-led government is doing better, they’re raising questions regarding the authenticity of the operations. Why is it so? Just because they were lacking at their time.

Report by



Shomen Chandra