Bhubaneswar:In a major crackdown on left-wing extremism, Odisha police arrested two senior cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) during a late-night combing operation in the dense forests near Sodiguda and Tentuliguda villages under Mathili Police Station limits in Malkangiri district.
The operation, launched on the intervening night of June 12 and 13 based on specific intelligence inputs, saw police teams tracking a group of armed Maoists moving stealthily through the forest. When challenged, the Maoists opened fire at the approaching security personnel. Exercising restraint, the police retaliated in self-defense, leading to a brief exchange of fire.
Following the encounter, police combed the area and managed to apprehend two Maoist operatives — Kesa Kawasi and Rakesh alias Suna Kunjam — while they were hiding in nearby bushes. Both have been identified as long-time members of the extremist outfit with a history of violent activities.
A significant quantity of arms, explosives, and communication gear was recovered from the arrested duo. Among the items seized were a pistol with six live rounds, 10 electric detonators, 50 grams of gunpowder, a radio set, a Motorola walkie-talkie with an extra battery, three torch lights, two steel containers, and two machete-like weapons (katuri). The police also found Maoist propaganda materials and other jungle utility items, including a black polythene sheet.
Interrogation of the accused has revealed crucial details about their backgrounds. Kesa Kawasi had joined the Maoist movement in 2010 at the age of 17 and served in various capacities, including as a Party Member and Commander in Mahupadar LOS, Gupteswar LOS, and Kanger Ghati Area Committee.
Rakesh, who joined the organization even earlier in 2009 at the age of 14, was active in Chhattisgarh’s Gangloor Area Committee, Bhairamgarh Local Guerrilla Squad, and later in the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) Military Platoon Section-01. In 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Area Committee Member (ACM), a position of strategic importance within the Maoist hierarchy.
