Malkangiri: In another achievement for Malkangiri police, a woman Maoist cadre, wife of a top Maoist leader, was gunned down following a gunfight that took place between the extremists and the security forces early Friday morning at Andrapali forest under Chitrakonda area in Malkangiri district.
Meanwhile, four others, including three women with rewards on their heads, surrendered before the police, it was learnt. The dead Red rebel was identified as Meena (35).
According to reports, the exchange of fire took place during a joint operation launched by Malkangiri’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and Andhra Pradesh’s Greyhound in the area.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition, explosives, including materials used to make improvised explosive device (IED), besides a map of Tangapala area were seized from the location.
A search operation in the area to nab other red rebels is underway, informed Malkangiri SP Jagmohan Meena.
“Acting on a tip-off regarding presence of a Maoist camp in the area, a joint operation was conducted by SOG and Greyhound jawans at around 2 am. An exchange of fire between the security forces and the Maoists that lasted for several hours ended early this morning after the death of the woman Maoist, who was wanted in several cases of Maoist violence”, informed ADG (Operations) RP Koche.
Meanwhile, the surrendered Maoists expressed their wish to join the mainstream of life and lead a normal life. They said they were tired of the ideology of the Maoist and decided to join the mainstream. They were lured into the Maoist fold by rebel leaders on the promise of free food, education and monetary help, they said.
The government will help them lead a new life, the SP said.
Meanwhile, a Militia commander was killed during a gun battle that took place between the rebels and the security personnel at Chandameta jungle in Tulasi hill in Sukma district Friday.
The deceased Maoist was identified as Kabasi Deba.
According to sources, the fire exchange began during a combing operation launched in the area by Malkangiri’s District Reserve Guards (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF).
The security personnel also busted a Maoist camp during the gunfight, said Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Meena. A search operation in the area in order to nab other rebels is underway, he added.
PNN