Encounter Breaks Out Between Naxals And Police In Maharashtra, Large Number Of Weapons Seized

The encounter took place on Sunday and no one was reported to be injured in the firing.

An encounter broke out between Naxals and police in the Vedampalli forest in Maharashtra’s Gadhchiroli on Sunday. 

The incident took place on Sunday at around 2 PM when around 20-25 Naxals began firing on the patrolling team of C60 commandos. However, the special police team was prepared beforehand and retaliated at once. 

Naxals fled into the forest after hours of the firing. Police teams seized a large number of weapons and naxals’ materials from the spot. 

"Naxals fired on the Police team in the Vedampalli forest area of Aheri Tehsil in Gadchiroli after retaliatory action from the Police yesterday. 20-25 Naxals fled into the forest, Police seized weapons and Naxal material from the spot," ANI quoted Nilotpal, SP Gadchiroli, as saying. 

Earlier in July 2022, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha that the incidents of Naxal violence have reduced by 77 percent in the country. 

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha that occurrences of Naxal violence have been reduced by 77% from an all-time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021.  

"The steadfast implementation of the 'national policy and action plan to address left-wing extremism (LWE) 2015 has resulted in a consistent decline in LWE violence," Rai stated in a written response to a question from Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh.  

"The incidents of LWE violence have reduced by 77 percent from an all-time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021. Similarly, the resultant deaths (civilians and security forces) have reduced by 85 percent from an all-time high of 1,005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021," the minister said. 

According to the minister, the geographical spread of the violence has also decreased, with just 46 districts reporting LWE-related violence in 2021, down from 96 districts in 2010. 

According to the minister, the decrease in geographical dispersion is also reflected in a reduction in the number of districts covered by the security-related spending plan. Rai further stated that the number of such districts has been lowered from 126 to 90 in April 2018 and to 70 in July 2021. 

Similarly, the minister stated that the number of areas generating nearly 90% of the LWE violence, known as the "most LWE afflicted districts," has decreased from 35 in 2018 to 30 in 2021.