CPI (Maoists) – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Thu, 22 May 2025 05:35:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg CPI (Maoists) – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 CPI Condemns Modi Govt For Eliminating Dreaded Naxal https://thecommunemag.com/cpi-condemns-modi-govt-for-eliminating-dreaded-naxal/ Thu, 22 May 2025 05:35:25 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=115269 In a shocking display of support for a banned extremist group, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has publicly denounced the recent anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh that resulted in the death of Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju—the General Secretary and top commander of the CPI (Maoist), an organisation officially designated as a terrorist group by […]

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In a shocking display of support for a banned extremist group, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has publicly denounced the recent anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh that resulted in the death of Nambala Keshava Rao, alias Basavaraju—the General Secretary and top commander of the CPI (Maoist), an organisation officially designated as a terrorist group by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since 22 June 2009.

On 21 May, security forces carried out a high-stakes mission, codenamed Operation Kagar, in the dense Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district. The operation culminated in the elimination of Basavaraju, who had a bounty of ₹1.5 crore on his head and was considered the mastermind behind some of the most brutal Maoist attacks in the country. His death is being viewed by security agencies as a critical success in the fight against the decades-long insurgency.

However, instead of supporting the action, the CPI condemned the encounter, describing it as a “cold-blooded killing” and an example of unlawful state conduct.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja released a statement on 21 May, asserting, “CPI strongly condemns the cold-blooded killing of a senior Maoist leader along with several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh. It is yet another instance of extrajudicial action carried out under the guise of counterinsurgency operations. The repeated use of lethal force instead of lawful arrest raises serious concerns about the State’s commitment to democratic norms and the rule of law. If the authorities had credible intelligence about the whereabouts of the leader, why was a legal arrest not pursued? Why was due process—guaranteed by the Constitution—so blatantly ignored. These killings not only point to a dangerous pattern of State violence but also expose the ongoing marginalisation of Adivasi communities in the region. Time and again, these communities are caught in the crossfire of a conflict they did not initiate, and are treated as collateral in operations marked by impunity. CPI demands an independent judicial inquiry into this episode and the entire Operation Kagar. The people of Chhattisgarh—and India at large—deserve to know the truth.  A democratic society cannot allow the State to become the judge, jury, and executioner. Justice must be served, and the dignity and rights of Adivasi lives must be upheld. CPI calls upon all democratic and progressive forces to raise their voices against this injustice and stand in solidarity with the people of Chhattisgarh.”

Who Was Basavaraju, Also Known as “The Red Commander”?

Born in 1955 in the village of Jiyannapet in Andhra Pradesh, Nambala Keshava Rao, popularly known as Basavaraju, was an engineering graduate from NIT Warangal. Despite his academic background, he joined the People’s War Group in the early 1980s, immersing himself in the armed Maoist movement.

In 1987, he is believed to have undergone guerrilla warfare training with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), a skillset he would later use to orchestrate deadly IED attacks across Maoist-affected regions in India.

Basavaraju was reportedly the mastermind behind several major attacks, including:

  • The 2010 Dantewada massacre, where 76 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the deadliest Maoist attacks in India.
  • The 2013 Jeeram Ghati ambush, which resulted in 27 deaths, including senior Congress leaders.
  • The 2003 Alipiri bomb attack, an unsuccessful attempt on the life of then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

In 2018, he rose to the position of General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) after the retirement of Ganapathy (Muppala Lakshmana Rao), assuming the role of both ideological leader and tactical strategist. For years, he remained underground, managing operations and evading law enforcement.

Operation Kagar

‘Operation Kagar’ was the codename for a coordinated assault aimed at top Maoist commanders operating in the forested belt connecting Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Following sustained intelligence tracking, the operation was launched on May 19 by joint units of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the Special Task Force (STF), and the CRPF.

Over the course of a 50-hour gunbattle, more than 30 Maoists were killed, including Basavaraju. Security personnel seized a large stockpile of weapons, ammunition, and strategic Maoist documents, signaling a critical blow to the insurgents’ infrastructure and leadership.

Among those neutralized were high-ranking figures from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). Authorities are continuing to search the area for survivors and additional rebel hideouts.

The encounter, while successful, came at a cost. One DRG personnel lost his life in the operation. His body was later recovered and brought back to the district headquarters.

Despite harsh terrain and well-armed resistance, state and central forces remained determined to dislodge Maoist presence from Abujhmad, considered one of the group’s last strongholds in central India.

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]]> TNCC President Selvaperunthagai Honours Stan Swamy Who Was Implicated In Anti-National Activities https://thecommunemag.com/tncc-president-selvaperunthagai-honours-stan-swamy-who-was-implicated-in-anti-national-activities/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:53:05 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=80227 K Selvaperunthagai, the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, sparked controversy by attending an event in Trichy church, where he praised Pastor Stan Swamy, who was implicated in activities against the country and accused of promoting secession in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoists links case. On 5 July 2024, Pastor Stan Swamy, also known […]

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K Selvaperunthagai, the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, sparked controversy by attending an event in Trichy church, where he praised Pastor Stan Swamy, who was implicated in activities against the country and accused of promoting secession in connection with the Elgar Parishad-Maoists links case.

On 5 July 2024, Pastor Stan Swamy, also known as Stan Lourduswamy, an 83-year-old Jesuit priest and activist, passed away. He had been denied bail by the National Investigation Agency Court on 22 March 2021, in the Bhima Koregaon – Elgaar Parishad case. The court’s decision was based on substantial evidence indicating that Stan Swamy was involved in a “serious conspiracy” with members of a banned Maoist organization to create unrest and destabilize the government.

Judge DE Kothalikar, who rejected Stan Swamy’s bail plea, noted the existence of approximately 140 emails between Swamy and his co-accused, references to them as “comrades,” and financial transactions aimed at supporting Maoist activities. These elements, the judge concluded, suggested that Stan Swamy was not only associated with the banned organization CPI (Maoist) but was actively pursuing its objectives, which included undermining the nation’s democratic foundations.

Born in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, Stan Swamy had later become a Roman Catholic priest of the Jesuit order. Notably, the Bombay High Court had previously granted bail to octogenarian Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao in the same case on medical grounds, citing his advanced age as a compelling reason for release.

Critics have raised eyebrows at the Tamil Nadu unit of the Congress Party and its president for praising Stan Swamy, known for anti-India activism under the guise of being a tribal rights advocate. In his official statement, TNCC President Selvaperunthagai stated, “Father Stan Swamy (Stanislaus Lourtuswamy), who worked for the rights of tribals throughout his life, was honored yesterday (05.07.2024). Then an organization serving the people named STAN SWAMY PEOPLE’S FEDERATION – TAMILNADU was started. All India Secretary (Orissa-in-charge) Mr. Christopher Tilak, Tamil Nadu Congress Youth Wing President Mr. Lenin Prasad and executives attended the event.”

The TNCC President openly praising and honouring an accused person who also allegedly was involved in conversion activities seems to be telling a different story about the “secular” nature of the Congress party, especially in the state of Tamil Nadu.

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]]> Sikh trooper from elite CoBRA unit uses his turban to bandage his fellow commando wound https://thecommunemag.com/sikh-trooper-from-elite-cobra-unit-uses-his-turban-to-bandage-his-fellow-commando-wound/ Thu, 08 Apr 2021 12:29:07 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=26914 In an exemplary act of bravery and courage, Commando Balraj Singh, a Sikh trooper of the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) wing, used his dastar (turban) to bandage the wound of his fellow commando, reports Zee News. The turban is a significant article of Sikh faith and is […]

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In an exemplary act of bravery and courage, Commando Balraj Singh, a Sikh trooper of the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) wing, used his dastar (turban) to bandage the wound of his fellow commando, reports Zee News.

The turban is a significant article of Sikh faith and is supposed to be never removed.

Trooper Balraj had also sustained injuries while fighting with Maoists in Chhattisgarh. However, he did not care about his well-being and his act of bravery has now earned him accolades.

His wife Yadwinder Kaur told the media, “It was terrifying to know that he was injured but at the same time I felt proud of his bravery and how he had kept the dignity of his turban by helping a person in need.”

His maternal aunt Ranbir Kaur said, “It’s nothing less than making a sacrifice for a Sikh to remove his turban – a Sikh’s pride.”

Balraj Singh’s mother Harjeet Kaur said that her only son Balraj had always wanted to join the army.

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]]> 15 jawans missing after Naxal encounter in Chhattisgarh; 5 killed, dozens injured https://thecommunemag.com/15-jawans-missing-after-naxal-encounter-in-chhattisgarh-5-killed-dozens-injured/ Sun, 04 Apr 2021 07:12:03 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=26666 Featured Image: Representational photograph Around 15 security personnel are missing following the encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Saturday. “A reinforcement party has rushed to the encounter spot. The bodies of two jawans have been recovered as of now”, Chhattisgarh police said. “23 injured have been admitted to Bijapur hospital and 7 have […]

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Featured Image: Representational photograph

Around 15 security personnel are missing following the encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Saturday.

“A reinforcement party has rushed to the encounter spot. The bodies of two jawans have been recovered as of now”, Chhattisgarh police said.

“23 injured have been admitted to Bijapur hospital and 7 have been admitted to a Raipur hospital”, police added.

Five security personnel were killed in the encounter with Naxals in jungles near Tarrem in Bijapur district.

“In an encounter in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, initial reports indicate that three District Reserve Guard (DRG) and two central Police Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans have been martyred, one Naxal has also ben killed. The encounter is on”, the CRPF said in a statement.

On Saturday, Chhattisgarh Director General of Police DM Awasthi had informed that the gun-battle broke out when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation.

For the last ten days, security forces were getting information about the whereabouts of Madvi Hima, a top Naxal of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), who has been linked to major attacks, including the 2013 Jhiram Ghati killings. Over 30 people including senior leaders f the Chhattisgarh Congress were killed in the attack.

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]]> CPI (Maoist) naxals kill their own comrades due to internal rift https://thecommunemag.com/cpi-maoist-naxals-kill-their-own-comrades-due-to-internal-rift/ Thu, 08 Oct 2020 05:22:57 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=12325 Five naxals who carried bounty ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh on their heads were killed by their colleagues in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. This attack by their own happened over the last two weeks, police said on Tuesday (October 6). According to the police, the killing happened due to disagreements that led to the […]

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Five naxals who carried bounty ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh on their heads were killed by their colleagues in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.

This attack by their own happened over the last two weeks, police said on Tuesday (October 6).

According to the police, the killing happened due to disagreements that led to the fallout within the outlawed CPI (Maoist).

There had been murders of civilians by some Naxals in south Bastar and a top Naxal leader Modiyam Vijja had been gunned down by his juniors. 

“We have got information about the killing of five more naxals by their own outfit members in Bijapur,” Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P told PTI.

The murdered naxals have been identified as Sandip alias Budhram, janmilitia platoon section commander, Lakhu Hemla, Maoists jantana school in-charge, Santosh, head of Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan, Dasru Mandavi, head of Janatana Sarkar group and Kamlu Punem, militia platoon commander, he said.

“Police had been receiving information about differences between senior and lower-rung cadres with regard to the brutal approach adopted by top ultras towards local villagers for a couple of months. The recent killings of villagers by Naxals in Bijapur after branding them as police informers further escalated the tension,” the IG said.

As per the police there is now an eruption of a gang war between different groups within the banned outfit. As of now the police are keeping a close eye on the situation with regards to the growing divide within the Maoist organisation.

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