Bhubaneswar, June 13: In a major success for anti-Maoist operations, the Malkangiri police apprehended two senior cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist) during a special operation in the forest areas near Sodiguda and Tentuliguda villages under Mathili Police Station limits. The operation took place on the intervening night of June 12 and 13, based on specific intelligence inputs.

The police team intercepted a group of Maoists fleeing into the jungle and asked them to surrender. However, the ultras opened fire, forcing the police to retaliate in self-defense. After a brief encounter, two Maoists—Kesa Kawasi and Rakesh alias Suna Kunjam—were arrested while they were trying to hide in the bushes.

A cache of arms and explosives was seized during the operation. This includes a pistol, six live rounds, 10 electric detonators, 50 grams of gunpowder, a radio, a Motorola walkie-talkie, three torches, and a spare battery. Other items recovered include Maoist literature, steel containers, small axes (katuri), and black polythene.

Interrogation revealed that Kesa Kawasi joined the Maoists in 2010 and served in multiple key roles. Rakesh, who joined in 2009, had worked across Chhattisgarh and was promoted to ACM in 2021.

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