Raipur: Security forces have neutralized two Maoists in an encounter in violence-ridden Bijapur district, police said on September 17.
As per preliminary reports, the gunfight broke out when a joint team of security forces were out on a combing operation in south-west region of Bijapur district.
Following the initial exchange of fire that broke out at around 3 PM on Wednesday, bodies of two Maoists were recovered from the spot. The team has also seized a three not three rifle and ammunitions from the site of the encounter.
Intermittent firing continued at the site till late Wednesday evening, and the operation is still underway. More details about the encounter are awaited.
Earlier, a joint team of security forces neutralised two woman Maoists in an encounter in Maharashtra’s Naxal-hit Gadchiroli district on Wednesday.
An anti-Maoist campaign was launched after the police received credible inputs about presence of cadres of Gatta LOS [Local Organisational Squad] camping in the forest adjoining Modaske Village under Gatta Jambhiya police station limits in Etapalli Taluka.
Bodies of two female Maoists along with an AK-47 rifle, a sophisticated pistol and other materials were seized following stoppage of the gunfight, said police.
12 Maoists surrender in Narayanpur
In a related development, a group of 12 Maoists, carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 18 lakhs surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.
The surrender took place on September 17, when 12 former Maoists including 5 female cadres turned themselves before the authorities, announcing their return to the mainstream.
As per officials, two of the surrendered Maoists were active as area committee members in Indravati and East Bastar areas.
The surrendered Naxals were all given Rs 50,000 each under state’s Surrender Cum Victim Rehabilitation Policy. They will be further provided benefits of government run welfare schemes. Over 170 Maoists have surrendered before officials in Narayanpur district this year.
