AS THEIR names were announced by a police officer, the couple dressed in simple attire started walking towards the dais. Their faces showed a blend of both – anxiety and relief. Anxiety, because the dreaded Maoist leaders were walking in the midst of policemen. Relief, because Nangsu Tumretti alias Giridhar and his wife Sangeeta Usendi were leaving the world of violence. Their face showed a radiant calm as they received with respect the copy of the Constitution of India from Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minster and Home Minister of Maharashtra. Gadchiroli district, where Maoists’ Central Committee member and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) member were gunned down by security forces, on Saturday, witnessed the surrender of Giridhar and Sangeeta, strengthening its steps towards a future free of Naxal menace. The couple surrendered in a programme organised at Eklavya Hall in Gadchiroli Police Headquarters. Interestingly, the programme was a bouquet of sorts – surrendered Maoists’ meet, felicitation of C-60 commandoes for excellent performance in anti-Naxal operations, and distribution of aid to beneficiaries.

 

Giridhar alias Bichu (44), a resident of Javeli Khurd in Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district, joined the Naxalites in 1997 as a Party Member in Etapalli Dalam. By September 2002, he rose to the rank of Bhamragarh Dalam Commander. In 2006, after the CPI (Maoist) came into being after merger of Peoples War and Maoist Communist Centre of India, he became Divisional Committee Member and then Deputy Commander in Company-IV. Later, in 2009, he became Commander of Company-IV. In March 2013, he became Company Party Committee Secretary. In November 2015, he rose to become DKSZC Member and Sub-Military Commission Member and Western Sub-Zonal Commander-in-Chief. In October 2020, Giridhar worked as South Gadchiroli Division Secretary. Following the Mardintola encounter of 2021, in which cops killed Central Committee member Milind Teltumbde, the shaken Maoists merged their North and South Gadchiroli Divisions. Giridhar was made Commander of these merged divisions. All the Maoist activities in Gadchiroli were being executed under his supervision. A total of 179 crimes were registered against him including 86 encounters, 15 arsons etc.

 

He was carrying a reward of Rs 25 lakh. His surrender has dealt a major blow to the Maoists not only in Gadchiroli district but also entire Central India. Since the cops are still gathering information from Giridhar, he did not speak at the programme. His wife Sangeeta alias Lalita Usendi (39), a resident of Dhobeguda in Etapalli taluka, also had joined the Red terrorists in Kasansur Dalam and had moved in areas in Maharashtra as well as adjoining State of Chhattisgarh including the Maoist stronghold of Abujhmaad. She was Member of Bhamragarh Divisional Committee too. A total of 18 crimes have been registered against her including seven encounters, one arson case etc. She was carrying a reward of Rs 16 lakh. Their profiles are good enough to underline the significance of their surrender. Already, Gadchiroli Police have broken the back of Maoists in the district through concerted action. As per Ankit Goyal, Deputy Inspector General, Gadchiroli Range; and Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, since 2021, total 65 Maoists have been eliminated in 29 encounters. Permili Dalam has been wiped out. The encounters saw elimination of a Central Committee member, DKSZC members, and Divisional Commanders. This has resulted in a major set back for the Red terrorists. This year, seven Maoist cadres including three Divisional Committee Members were neutralised in two encounters in Katrangatta and Muddumudgu forest areas. Yatish Deshmukh, Additional SP (Operations), who led the Katrangatta encounter, also was felicitated.