In a recent clash between security forces and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district, 16 Naxalites met their end. The police reported on Wednesday that two additional bodies were found during a search of the encounter site.
Among those killed was Ramchandra Reddy alias Jayaram, a CPI (Maoist) leader with a bounty of 10 million. Reddy hailed from Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. Police sources mentioned that Chalapathi had education up to the 10th grade.
The encounter initiated on the night of January 19th in the Kulerighat Reserve Forest area at the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border. It was a joint effort involving the Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF’s Cobra Unit, and Odisha Police's Special Operations Group (SOG).
The downfall of a highly-wanted Naxalite
The confrontation that started on Monday night persisted into Tuesday morning. During this period, 14 Naxalites were taken down, with two female Naxalites succumbing on Monday. Security forces recovered extensive weaponry, ammunition, and explosives from the site.
42 Naxalites eliminated at different locations
So far this year, 42 Naxalites have been neutralized in various encounters across Chhattisgarh. The remains of the 14 Naxalites were sent to Raipur's Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital for postmortem. Chalapathi was primarily active in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, areas now witnessing the decline of Naxalite activities. Over recent years, Chalapathi resided in the Darbha region of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh. At nearly 60 years of age, he struggled with knee problems, which limited his mobility.
