Senior Maoists arrested in Bijapur

RAIPUR: Security forces in Bijapur district arrested two wanted Maoist operatives, including a senior divisional committee member (DVCM) carrying a bounty of ₹8 lakh and a Janatana Sarkar member with a ₹1 lakh reward.

Arrest of DVCM Mallaesh Kunjam

On September 25, a joint team of District Reserve Guard (DRG) Bijapur, Basaguda police station, and CoBRA 210 battalion carried out an operation in the forests of Polampalli, leading to the arrest of Mallaesh Kunjam (40), in Bijapur.

Kunjam, a DVCM of the Jagargunda Area Committee, was wanted in multiple Maoist incidents and carried an ₹8 lakh reward on his head.



He was allegedly involved in the June 7, 2023 IED blast and firing on police near Gaganpalli and Murkipad forests. Police records show five permanent warrants pending against him in Basaguda and one in Modakpal. He also faces several cases in Tarrem, Pamed, Usur, and Awapalli police stations, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, armed attacks on police parties, arson, loot, dacoity, and abduction.

In a separate operation, a joint team of Jangla and Bhairamgarh police stations apprehended Anil Veko (32), president of the Janatana Sarkar (Biriyabhumi RPC), from Darmer village. He carried a ₹1 lakh reward.

Police said Veko was directly involved in several violent incidents, including:

• May 21, 2025: IED blast and firing on police between Badepalli and Chhotepalli.
• March 29, 2025: Planting IED near Tadopot-Indravati river ghat, injuring a woman villager.
• Nov 29, 2024: Killing of a villager at Ghurdsakal.
• June 5, 2025: Arson attack on a transport vehicle.
• April 16, 2024: Firing on police at Belchar hills under Jangla police station.
• April 19, 2024: Planting a pressure IED near Chihka during Lok Sabha elections, injuring a CRPF officer.

Both arrested Maoists were produced before the court and have been sent to judicial remand after completion of formal proceedings at Basaguda and Bhairamgarh police stations.