Raipur, February 25 – In a major success for the "anti-Naxal" campaign in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, two Maoists have been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment each, along with a fine of Rs 5,000.
The accused, Hunga alias Guttum Sodi and Joga Kudami, both residents of Pordem village under the Gadiras police station in neighboring Sukma district, were arrested on May 20, 2024.
On that day, a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Udaybhan Rathiya was returning from a security duty protecting road construction vehicles and workers on the Keshapara-Potali route.
Around 3:15 p.m., near the new Keshapara-Potali road and about 400 to 500 meters from the construction site, the team spotted two suspicious individuals attempting to hide in bushes near a gravel pit.
The police quickly surrounded and apprehended them. During interrogation, both admitted to being active members of a banned Naxalite organization.
From Hunga alias Guttum Sodi, officers recovered one tiffin bomb weighing around three kilograms, two detonators, and electrical wire.
From Joga Kudami, they seized one cell phone, five bombs and firecrackers, and handwritten Naxalite posters. A seizure memo was prepared at the spot, and the duo was taken to the Aranpur police station.
A case was registered at the Aranpur police station under relevant sections of the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
After their arrest, they were produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. The trial was conducted in the Special Court under the NIA Act.
After examining the evidence presented by the prosecution and recording witness statements, the court found that the accused were in possession and control of explosive substances, including tiffin bombs and detonators.
The Court convicted both under Section 4(b) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and sentenced each to five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.
In case of non-payment of the fine, they will have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
The investigation was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Govind Dewan and Inspector Shankar Lal Dhruv, with significant contributions from Assistant Sub-Inspector Uday Bhan Rathiya and Constable Teksingh Taram. Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai and Additional Superintendent of Police Ramkumar Barman have overseen sustained efforts against Naxal activities while ensuring protection for development projects in the region.