From a tribal hamlet in Giridih to the central committee of CPI (Maoist), carrying a bounty of Rs 2.4 cr, Manjhi’s rise was built on ambushes & explosives—until security forces killed him Friday.
Pathiram Manjhi was killed in an encounter in Saranda forests. The forces are now pursuing Thippiri Tirupathi, the only remaining top leader of the banned outfit.
Journalists & policy analysts had gathered in Delhi to discuss ‘India's success in curbing Left-Wing extremism’. Ex-IPS Pankaj Singh & ThePrint Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta were also present.
Deva is believed to have coordinated nearly all ambushes carried out against security forces in Bastar between 2007 and 2024, including the 2013 Darbha valley ambush.
The 67-year-old was eliminated in encounter in forest range between Odisha’s Ganjam & Kandhamal. He was among the last remaining members of Central Committee of CPI (Maoist).
Vikas Nagpure alias Anant was a special zonal committee member of Maharashtra–Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh zone & its spokesperson for the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
On 19 Nov, BSCEM on its Instagram put up a post with a ‘red salute’ for Hidma and terming the encounter in which the Maoist commander was killed ‘fake’.
In the past 2 years, forces have killed over 300 cadres & leaders, including Basavaraju, Hidma & central committee members. Also, more than 800 cadres have surrendered.
Hidma, the second in command among the Maoist ranks, was among the key planners of several deadly attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada ambush that killed 74 CRPF personnel.
Bhupati’s surrender signals major blow to Maoist movement as he was one of top 2 contenders for general secy of banned CPI (Maoist) after security forces killed Nambala Keshava Rao.
Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.
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