Chhattisgarh: Close aid of top Maoist leader arrested

A joint operation by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Police on Friday resulted in the arrest of a Naxal involved in various attacks on security forces in Chhattisgarh.

The naxal, identified as Madkam Podiya, was a gang member of a top Maoist leader, Pada Appu.

Meanwhile, another top Naxal, Doodhi Handa surrendered in front the security forces.
Handa was known for spreading Maoist propaganda in as many as five villages, while Podiya had served as a gunman for Pada Appu.

Podiya was involved in various attacks on security forces, most notably in the attack in Chhattisgarh's Kasalpad village last year, which claimed the lives of 14 CRPF personnel.

He was also involved in the ambush on a Special Task Force in Pidmel village, in 2015, which left seven STF personnel dead, while injuring 12 others.

Speaking to ANI, the Commanding Officer of the 74th Battalion of CRPF, Praveen Kumar Singh hailed the anti-Naxal operations.

"A gang member of top Maoist leader Pada Appu, Madkam Podiya has been arrested in a joint operation conducted by the CRPF and the police. Another top Naxal, Doodhi Handa has surrendered. These were the result of relentless anti-Naxal operations by the CRPF and the police and we hope that we will continue to successfully thwart Maoist operations in the region."

This comes after seven naxals, including four with rewards on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday.
Earlier, 10 naxals surrendered before police in Narayanpur. One of them was carrying a bounty of Rs. five lakh on his head.

(ANI)