Naxalite arrested with Rs 1.4 million bounty in MP’s Balaghat area

Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) [India]September 6 (ANI): A 32-year-old Naxalite woman, who had a bounty of Rs 1.4 million on her head, was arrested in Balaghat district of India's Madhya Pradesh state, a police official said on Friday.

A team of Hawk force nabbed them on Thursday night (September 5) from Parsatola forest under the jurisdiction of Baihar police station in the district. The Naxal was identified as Sajanti (32), a resident of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. A pistol with cartridge magazine, an axe and other items were recovered from her, he added.

Balaghat Superintendent of Police (SP) Nagendra Singh said, “We received information that there were some Naxalites in search of food in the Parsatola forest in the catchment area of ​​Baihar police station. Based on this information, we immediately mobilised the Hawk Force team to the area. On September 5, at around 10 pm, we saw two Naxalites moving towards the forest from Parsatola village. When the team asked them to stop, they started running.” However, the Hawk Force team managed to nab a female Naxalite while one fled the scene. When the team returned with the arrested Naxalite, the other Naxalites in the area opened fire on the team with an aim to free their comrade. The Hawk Force also retaliated, following which the Naxalites took advantage of the darkness and fled into the dense forest, he added.

“The arrested Naxalite identified herself as Sajanti, a resident of Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. Her husband Ganesh was gunned down in an altercation in November 2022. A bounty of Rs 1.4 million was placed on Sajanti,” he added.

“We will continue the ongoing anti-Naxalite campaign in the district. During the preliminary questioning, we came to know that several Naxalites were brought here against their will and wanted to return to their homes. Therefore, I appeal to those Naxalites who want to return to their homes or surrender to come forward as the surrender policy in Madhya Pradesh is very beneficial for them and they can benefit from it. Madhya Pradesh Police is extending its full support to them,” he concluded. (ANI)