In a significant breakthrough in the fight against left-wing extremism, security forces eliminated seven Maoists — including two top leaders — during a series of encounters in the National Park area of Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district in the first half of June 2025.
According to an official release on Saturday, the deceased include Gautam alias Sudhakar, a Central Committee member of the CPI (Maoist), and Bhaskar Rao, a member of the outfit’s State Committee. The operation marks a major blow to the banned Maoist group, known for its long-standing insurgency in the region.
The encounters took place during a series of high-intensity anti-Maoist operations conducted by security forces in the National Park area. After the exchange of fire, security personnel recovered the bodies of seven Maoists from the site.
One of the deceased was identified as Mahesh Kodiyam, a resident of Irpagutta village under the jurisdiction of Farsegarh Police Station. Authorities confirmed that he was a known member of the CPI (Maoist) in the National Park Area division and had active ties with the group.
Interestingly, it was revealed that Mahesh Kodiyam had also been employed as a cook assistant at a local primary school in Irpagutta until March 2025, drawing a salary approved by the school management committee. Authorities are now probing how he came into close contact with high-ranking Maoist leaders like Gautam and Bhaskar Rao.
Police have launched a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kodiyam’s involvement with the insurgents.
The statement concluded with a stern warning: authorities urged all individuals who are directly or indirectly associated with the banned CPI (Maoist) to immediately sever ties with the organization. Continuing such affiliations not only threatens regional peace and public safety but also endangers the lives and futures of those involved, the police warned.