A 45-year-old tribal, Somaji Sadmek, was shot dead by Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres near Hedri in Etapalli Tehsil (revenue unit) in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on September 19, reports The Times of India. Police sources said the Maoists also left some pamphlets near Sadmek’s body, which was found near a temple adjoining Surjagarh hillock where mining is underway. Somaji was whisked away from his residence a day ago. Through the pamphlets, the Maoists have voiced their angst against the mining work and targeted political parties for backing the corporate company to run the project. Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP), Ankit Goyal said the pamphlets left behind near the body indicated that the murder could be connected to Surjagarh project. It’s learnt that Sadmek earlier worked on the project site. He used to also take villagers along to work on the project. Sources stated he was not associated with the current company which is mining at the site. It’s learnt that Sadmek was approached by company’s representative around a fortnight ago.
Meanwhile, a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) 'jan militia' (people’s army of the Maoists) member was arrested while he was putting a Naxal [Left Wing Extremism, LWE] banner in the Kothi forest area in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on September 20, reports latestly.com. The banner was put up on the eve of 'Vilay Divas' observed by ultras, the Gadchiroli Police said in a release. It said Naxals commit violent acts at various places to mark the day. Police recovered Naxal banners and other articles from the 'jan militia' member, it said. The identity of the 'jan militia' member is yet to be established.
Separately, explosives hidden by cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) in Madveli forest were recovered by Security Forces (SFs) following an encounter in Gadchiroli District of Maharashtra on September 19, reports The New India Express. The encounter took place on Sunday (September 19) in Madveli forest after Maoists fired on a team of Gadchiroli Police's special squad and then fled when faced with retaliatory action, an official said. A release from the office of Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP), Ankit Goyal said a search post the encounter led to a camp which was occupied by some 35-40 ultras earlier. "An improvised explosive device (IED) and a cooker bomb were found and destroyed. Other Naxals items were also recovered," SP, Goyal added.