Bhubaneswar: In a significant breakthrough, the Malkangiri police apprehended two banned CPI (Maoist) cadres in the forest area near villages Sodiguda and Tentuliguda under Mathili Police Station during a special operation on the intervening night of June 12 and June 13.
Acting on credible intelligence, the police team chased a suspicious group of Maoists fleeing into the jungle and warned them to surrender. However, the Maoists opened fire, prompting the police to exercise controlled fire in self-defense.
Police apprehended two Maoist cadres identified as Kesa Kawasi and Rakesh alias Suna Kunjam, after a brief tussle while they were attempting to hide in nearby bushes.
A significant cache of arms and ammunition was seized during the operation. This includes one pistol and six rounds of ammunition, indicating the Maoists’ preparedness for armed encounters. The police also recovered explosives, comprising 10 electric detonators and 50g of gunpowder, which could have been used to cause significant harm. Additionally, communication equipment such as one radio, one Motorola walkie-talkie, three torch lights, and a spare battery for the walkie-talkie were confiscated. Other seized items include two steel containers, two katuri (small axe/machete), one black polythene, Maoist literature, and several other articles.
During interrogation, the arrested Maoists revealed crucial information about their involvement with the organization.
Kesa Kawasi joined the Maoist organization in 2010 at the age of 17 and went on to work in various capacities, including Party Member and Commander, in different areas such as Mahupadar LOS, Gupteswar LOS, and Kanger Ghati Area Committee. Rakesh, on the other hand, joined the Maoist organization in 2009 at the age of 14 and worked under Gangloor AC, Bhairamgarh LGS, and AOB Military Platoon Section-01, operating in Chhattisgarh. Notably, he was promoted to the rank of ACM in 2021.
