Chhattisgarh’s anti-Maoist forces scored a significant victory on November 29 as they successfully arrested 13 Maoists, including one of the most wanted Maoist leaders, Kosa Punem alias Hadma. The operation, which took place across multiple locations in Bijapur district, marks a major step forward in the state’s efforts to curb Maoist violence in the region. Hadma, a member of the Jagargunda area committee of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), had been evading arrest for years, with a reward of Rs 2 lakh placed on his capture.
The arrests were made across three different areas in the Bijapur district: three Maoists were arrested from the Tarrem police station area, while five were detained from Awapalli and another five from the Jangla police station area.
The operation was carried out jointly by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the CRPF’s special unit COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action). The combined effort of these elite forces, who have been operating in the heart of Maoist-affected regions, led to the successful capture of the insurgents.
According to the police, the arrested individuals are all within the age range of 19 to 40, many of whom were actively involved in Maoist activities in the region. Authorities also confiscated several dangerous materials, including tiffin bombs, explosive devices, detonating cords, and Maoist propaganda materials from the arrested Maoists. These seizures are crucial in preventing potential attacks and further violence in the region.
Who is Hadma?
Kosa Punem, known by his alias Hadma, is one of the most dreaded Maoist leaders operating in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. He had been involved in several violent Maoist attacks and ambushes on security forces. Hadma played a key role in the Maoist insurgency in the Jagargunda area and was reportedly involved in planning and executing attacks against security forces and civilians.
Earlier this month, CM Vishnu Deo Sai commended the security forces for their successful operations in eliminating Maoists, praising their courage and dedication. He emphasised the state government’s commitment to establishing peace and ensuring citizen safety. The CM highlighted that over 210 Maoists have been eliminated in 11 months, marking significant progress toward eradicating Maoism. On November 20, CM Sai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the progress in combating the Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh. The CM expressed confidence that the state would be ‘free of red terror’ by March 2026. CM Said said that both the state government and the security forces are working relentlessly in the direction of uprooting the Maoists from Chhattisgarh and fulfilling the Union Home Minister’s commitment to eradicating the Maoists by 2026.
