Naxalite Basavaraju encounter: 'Slain CPI (Maoist) chief was involved in over 200 Naxal activities'. Why Chhattisgarh ops is a big win for forces

In a major breakthrough, anti-Naxal forces in Chhattisgarh killed Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI (Maoist), in an operation on Wednesday. According to security forces, Basavaraju was involved in over wanted in over 200 Naxal operations and was the commander-in-chief of the movement's military commission.

 

 Bastar IG P. Sundarraj said Basavaraju was a key leader of the movement and has been carrying out Maoist activities for over past 40 years. "Basavaraju, who was killed in the encounter, was active in Naxalite activities for the last 40-45 years. For the past two to three years, he was working as the general secretary of CPI (Maoist). He was directly or indirectly involved in more than 200 naxalite activities," ANI reported. The senior police official said security forces are continuing their search operation in Narayanpur. 

 

Over 26 Naxalites were killed in an anti-Naxal operation in Narayanpur on Wednesday. The major encounter took place in the dense forests of Abhujmad on the tri-junction of Narayanpur-Bijapur-Dantewada districts. Security personnel from the District Reserve Guards from four Chhattisgarh districts carried out a massive search operation in the region based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Central Committee and Politburo members of the Maoists, and PLGA (Peoples' Liberation Guerrilla Army) members. 

 

According to officials, Basavaraju hails from Andhra Pradesh and a B.Tech graduate. According to security forces, Basavaraju has been camping at Abujhmaad for at least eight years. 

 

Sundarraj said Basavaraju's encounter was a major achievement for the forces. "This is a great achievement for the security forces. Peace and normalcy will be restored in the area," he said. The Centre has vowed to eradicate Naxalism from the country by 2026. 

India