15 Maoists killed in gunfight in Maha

DISTRICT POLICE SUPERINTENDENT ANKIT GOYAL SAID SOME WEAPONS AND MAOIST LITERATURE HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM THE SITE AND THAT SEVERAL MAOISTS ESCAPED

MUMBAI The Maharashtra police on Friday said they have killed at least 15 suspected Maoists in a gun battle in a forest area between Potegaon and Rajoli in the state’s Gadchiroli district. The exchange of fire began at 5.30 am when 200 personnel of an anti-maoist squad raided a Maoist hideout following a tip-off, they added.

“We kicked off the operation early [Friday] morning after learning about Maoist presence in the forest. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered from the site. Searches are still on,” said Sandip Patil, the deputy inspector general of police, Gadchiroli.

District police superintendent Ankit Goyal said some weapons and Maoist literature have been recovered from the gunfight site.

He added several Maoists escaped and also took away the bodies of some of their colleagues.

The commander of the local Maoist dalam (squad) is reportedly among those killed. The bodies were yet to be identified, and search operations were still on, said Goyal.

The hideout was raided as police were informed that the squad was trying to organise a meeting with the villagers and tendu leaf contractors.

Many contractors from Telangana and other states buy rights for plucking of tendu leaves from Gadchiroli district every year. These contractors often pay protection money to the Maoists during this season annually.

Earlier this month, the Gadchiroli police killed four suspected Maoist leaders, including two women, in two separate gunfights in the district.