Maoist killed in encounter was hardcore ultra: Southern Range IG

The Maoist who was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Kamerikia forest under Baliguda police limits in Kandhamal on Saturday was a hardcore ultra, revealed the initial investigation. 

Informing about the incident, Southern Range IG Jay Narayan Pankaj said that Dasru alias Dudu Mundari was the chief of Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) Division. Also a member of the divisional committee, Dasru had 22 criminal cases pending against him in Kandhamal and Boudh districts. More than six cases were related to bombing, murder and loot.

During the 2019 general elections, Dasru was also involved in hurling bombs at the polling team, a landmine blast and the murder of GRS Sanjukta Digal. 

In 2003, the ultra had joined the CPI Maoist Division before joining KKBN Division in 2008-2009. He was looking after the Maoist operations in Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Nayagarh districts, Pankaj added. 

“Dasru was a resident of Chhattisgarh and dealing with the Maoist operations in the state. Besides, he was carrying a Rs 5 lakh bounty on his head. The cases registered against him might increase as the probe is underway,” said the Southern Range IG. 

It is to be noted that Dasru was killed in an exchange of fire between the ultras and security forces in Kamerikia forest under Baliguda police limits. During the encounter, a District Voluntary Force (DVF) Jawan got injured.