Maharashtra (Maoist Insurgency): Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2009

On January 10, an encounter took place between the Police and the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres during a search operation at Salangtola forest range in the Gondia District, reports PTI. Read less...

A newly-sanctioned Police vehicle, allotted to the anti-Naxal operation squad as part of the efforts to modernize the unit, was stolen by suspected Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres from outside the driver's residence in Nagsenwan under Yashodhara Nagar Police Station in Nagpur in the early hours of January 12, Times of India reported. Read less...

Economic Times on January 14 reported that the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) has decided to strengthen the Maoist’s influence in Maharashtra by merging of its Maharashtra operations with that of the larger and stronger Dandkarenya committee, active in Chhattisgarh, at a recent meeting in the jungles of Gadhchiroli District in Maharashtra. As of now, left-wing extremism in Maharashtra is confined to only 4-5 Districts, comprising of Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia and Gadhchiroli, and the Maoists did not pose much of a challenge to the State Police due to their limited operational capabilities. By the merger of Maharashtra operations with the more powerful Dandkaranya committee — which is successfully engaging counter-Naxal forces in south Chhattisgarh, including the Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and the Commando Battalions for Resolute Action battalion — the CPI-Maoist cadres hoped to carry over the operational successes in Dandkarenya to the adjoining Districts of Maharashtra. This would also further facilitate the inter-State operations of the Maoists. Read less...

Quoting Police sources, Zee News reported on January 15 that activities of the Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) have declined in Maharashtra as the insurgents in the Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Gondia Districts of the State are facing a shortage of cadre following zero-recruitment in the last few years. There is a drop in the CPI-Maoist related crime as well their activity over a period due to cadre shortage and increase in the number of arrests as well as surrenders, the Additional Director General of Police (Anti-Naxalites Operation), Pankaj Gupta, said. Further, major heads in Maoist related crime including blasts, attack on Policemen and civilians, arson, kidnapping, dacoity and robberies, sabotages and other offences have shown a downward trend since the last four years, Gupta said. According to statistics, only 85 such offences were recorded in 2008 against 114 in year 2007, 128 in 2006 and 134 in 2005. Besides, the number of encounters with Maoists was 24 in 2008 dropping from 34 and 40 in 2007 and 2006 respectively against 24 in 2005, he added. About 320 Maoists have surrendered since August 29, 2005 when the State Government came out with a Maoist Surrender Policy, the Police official said. Also, a record number of 145 CPI-Maoist cadres have laid down arms during 2008 against 93 in 2005, 67 in 2006 and 39 in 2007, he stated. As per the surrender scheme, the State Government extended financial assistance to the tune of INR 16. 3 million to them, depending on their rank in the outfit. Speaking on the crime scenario, Gupta said Police succeeded in killing as many as 41 Maoists between 2005 to 2008, including a highest number of 22 in 2006 and 11 in 2008. The figures of extremists arrested in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 (302, 93, 138 and 123) are impressive considering the stiff resistance and indiscriminate use of firearms by them, he claimed. Six Policemen were killed in 2008, three in 2007, four in 2006 and 25 in 2005, he added. Read less...

Times of India quoting Police sources on January 18 reported that around 87 Under Barrel Grenade Launchers, also known as ‘small artillery’, are likely to be commissioned soon to be part of the State's Security Force’s arsenal - particularly in anti-Maoist operations. The multipurpose launcher, which can be used for simultaneous assault, can be put into action for both exposed and hidden targets like those behind barricades, trenches or bunkers and also on the other side of slopes or any other artificial or natural blockade. The weapon, which can operate best within the range of 50 meters to 400 meters, can be lethal within 6 meters radius. Read less...

Speaking at a seminar on challenges of internal security, the Director-General of the Border Security Force, M. L. Kumawat, said on January 24, “Pune is one of the top targets that Naxals (left-wing extremists) had zeroed on, according to documents seized during recent investigations,” Sakaal Times reported. Read less...