A Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadre identified as Sandeep Kunjam aka Lakkhu (25), was arrested after an encounter with the Police in Jairasi village under Birsa Police Station limits in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh on August 10, reports NDTV. On a tip-off that about 20 Maoists are gathered in Jairasi village, a Police team reached the spot and surrounded them, Police said in a statement. "When asked to surrender, the Maoists started firing while retreating towards the forest. Police also retaliated in self-defence. One of the Maoists, identified as Sandeep Kunjam, was arrested by the police," the statement reads. According to the Balaghat Police, Kunjam, a resident of Kuakonda village under Bengur Police Station in Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh, is an ‘area committee member’ (ACM) of the Khatiya Mocha Area Dalam (armed squad) of the CPI-Maoist. State Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, the arrested Maoist was carrying a total reward of INR 800,000, including INR 300,000 in Madhya Pradesh and INR 500,000 in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, on his head, adding, "The MP government is running an operation to eliminate Maoists from the state. Police are successful in this endeavour." Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Balaghat zone, K.P. Venkateshwar Rao said Kunjam, has 18 cases registered against him in Madhya Pradesh and four cases in Chhattisgarh.
A team of the Hawk Force of State Police exchanged fire with Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres in the forests near Kadla village under Bahela Police Station area in Balaghat District of Madhya Pradesh on August 10, reports The Week. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Balaghat zone, K.P. Venkateshwar Rao said, the force had got information that a group of Maoists were transporting materials of daily use through the forest area. They were challenged, but managed to escape through the dense forests.