TV
Three women Maoists carrying rewards totalling Rs 8 lakh on their heads were arrested from the Gunthabeda jungle under Chitrakonda police limits in Malkangiri on December 28.
The arrested Maoists have been identified as Swapna, Sunita and Babita from Dhakadpadar area of Swabhiman Anchal.
The police received reliable intelligence about the presence of these Maoists in the jungles and decided to plan and undertake a covert operation. According to reports, the women had been engaged in various Maoist activities and had been on the run for quite some time.
Authorities claimed that Swapna had a bounty of Rs 4 lakh on her head, and Sunita and Babita had rewards of Rs 2 lakh each.
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The arrest has been considered quite a milestone for the police as it debilitated their regional presence or influence by Maoists.
"We received information about suspected movement in the area and verified the information by conducting a visit. On getting sight of security forces, many individuals fled, but we managed to apprehend three women, who are now being detained for questioning," says Niti Shekhar, Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Western Range.
The arrests mark a critical turning point in the struggle to combat Maoist insurgency in Malkangiri. Local officials hope this would encourage other Maoists to surrender and seek a peaceful life, thereby contributing to the overall stability and development of the region. The police appealed to anyone with information regarding Maoist activities to come forward and assist in the efforts to combat the menace of these armed groups.
