Bijapur, Chhattisgarh – In a significant development, a 35-year-old Naxalite, Madkam Shankar, was arrested on Wednesday in Bijapur district. The arrest occurred in a forested area between Pusbaka and Gaganpalli villages, falling under the jurisdiction of the Basaguda police station. The operation to apprehend Shankar involved a coordinated effort by security forces, including the elite 210th battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and local police units. According to police sources, Shankar is a prominent member of platoon no. 9 under the Jagargunda area committee of Maoists and has been linked to a series of violent incidents.
Shankar is wanted in connection with at least seven criminal cases, which include attacks on police personnel, the triggering of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts, and charges of murder and attempted murder between 2012 and 2020 in the Basaguda region. This arrest is part of a broader crackdown on Naxalite activities in the Bastar division, which encompasses seven districts, including Bijapur.
So far this year, over 700 Naxalites have been apprehended, highlighting the ongoing efforts of security forces to combat Maoist insurgency in the area. Authorities have urged the local populace to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to ensure the continued safety and security of the region.-
