Four Maoists linked to C-60 Commando killing held in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli

Four hardcore Maoists who were allegedly linked to a C60 Commando killing were held in joint operation carried out by the Gadchiroli Police and CRPF in Maharashtra the police said on SaturdayThose arrested in the operation include a top Maoist couple according to the policeA joint antiMaoist operation was carried out in the Palli forest area under the Tadgaon Police Station jurisdiction in the Bhamragad subdivision of Gadchiroli the officials saidThe arrested Maoists were actively involved in multiple violent incidents including the killing of a C60 commando during an encounter in the DirangiFulnar forest on 11 February 2025 police saidThe state government had declared a total reward of Rs 40 lakh for their capture it saidThe joint team of Gadchiroli Police and CRPFrsquos 09 Battalion FCoy spotted the suspects moving suspiciously in the forest and detained them After detailed questioning at Pranhita Police SubHeadquarters Aheri they were positively identifiedAll four were found to be conducting reconnaissance for a future attack and have been arrested They face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS Arms Act Explosive Substances Act Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA and Maharashtra Police Act the Gadchiroli Police saidThose arrested were identified as Sailu Bhumayah Muddela alias Raghu 55 a senior Maoist leader and Secretary of South Gadchiroli Divisional Committee He has been involved in at least 77 crimes including 34 encounters and 23 murders He carried a Rs 20 lakh reward the police said adding that Raghu has served in various Maoist groups across Telangana Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra and was active since 1990Jaini Bhima Kharatam alias Akhila 41 wife of Raghu and Secretary of Bhamragad Area Committee was also arrested in the operation She is linked to 29 crimes and carried a Rs 16 lakh reward She joined the group in 2001 and held toplevel leadership roles police saidBoth were key figures in organising violent actions and obstructing government efforts in Gadchiroli an official saidApart from Raghu and Gangu Zansi Doge Talandi alias Gangu 30 a member of Bhamragad Local Organisation Squad LOS who had been linked to around 14 criminal cases and carried a Rs 2 lakh reward was also held during the joint operationThe police said that Manila Pido Gawade alias Sarita 21 also a member of Bhamragad LOS involved in 10 crimes including 5 murders and carrying a Rs 2 lakh reward was also held by the police and CRPFThe operation was carried out under the guidance of several senior officers including Sandip Patil Special IGP AntiNaxal Operations Ankit Goyal DIG Gadchiroli and Neelotpal SP Gadchiroli along with CRPF officials and local police teamsSP Neelotpal said that antiMaoist operations in the region will be further intensified He also urged active Maoists to surrenderatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params