Maoists’ death toll rises to 18 in Bijapur encounter, Vella Modiyam among those killed

Raipur: The death toll of Maoists killed in Bijapur encounter on Wednesday has risen from 12 to 18 which includes divisional committee member (DVCM) Vella Modiyam who carried a reward of ₹10 lakh. He was found to be involved in 44 cases of violence as per police records.

Maoist casualties include nine women, as more bodies were recovered early on Thursday by the security forces. The killed cadres carried a combined bounty of Rs 1.3 crore on their heads, police said, adding that the Gangaloor belt — long considered a symbol of "red terror" — had suffered a decisive blow.


Three DRG jawans were also killed in the encounter and their last rites were performed with full state honours at Bijapur police lines. Senior police and civil officials laid wreaths and observed a brief silence in their honour.

"By Wednesday, 12 Maoist bodies were recovered from the spot. Continued search and clearance operations on Thursday morning led to the recovery of six more bodies. The dead include divisional committee member (DVCM) and PLGA Company No. 2 commander Vella Modiyam, also known as Mangu Modiyam, who carried a reward of ₹10 lakh," IG Sundarraj said.

Police said Vella was a key operational and intelligence commander in Gangaloor area committee and allegedly involved in several serious crimes, including the killing of a minor, a student and a villager in Peddakorma.

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the courage of the security personnel and said the sacrifice of the slain jawans "will not go in vain". Home minister Vijay Sharma said Naxalism in Chhattisgarh is now in its "last phase", even as forces continue coordinated operations across the Bastar region.

Briefing the media, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj and Bijapur SP Jitendra Yadav said that the fierce gun battle began on Tuesday morning and continued for nearly 23 hours in the jungles along the Bhairamgarh–Naimed axis in West Bastar division. A joint team of DRG Bijapur & Dantewada, the Special Task Force (STF) and CoBRA 210, supported by other central forces, had launched a search operation in the Keshkutul forest when heavily armed Maoists opened fire.

Security personnel retaliated, triggering a prolonged encounter in which three DRG jawans were killed and two others injured.

From the encounter site, security forces recovered 19 weapons, including an LMG, AK-47, SLR, INSAS and .303 rifles, along with a large quantity of explosives and other Maoist material.

IG Sundarraj said that sustained operations over the past two years have put Maoist groups under severe pressure in Bastar. Over the last 19 months, he said, a total of 469 Maoists have been killed in separate encounters.

He added that the Maoists' illegal funding channels are being steadily disrupted. "With the collective will of security forces and the people, Naxalism is heading towards its end. Our objective is peace and development," the IG said, urging remaining Maoist cadres to surrender or face continued action by the forces.

Bijapur SP Yadav said reinforcements sent to the spot of operation are still searching and combing the region.



Get an chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here