Bhubaneswar, March 20 The Odisha Police has launched an operation to apprehend the wanted Maoist leader, Sukru, who carries a reward of Rs 55 lakh on his head, after the forces located his hideout in a dense forest, DGP Y B Khurania said on Friday.
Khurania said that security forces comprising central forces and the Odisha Police are inching their way into the dense forest located in the tri-junction of the Kandhamal, Rayagada, and Kalahandi districts, where Sukru was hiding.
"We have complete information about his whereabouts. As we are speaking, the forces are engaged in an operation in the forest," the DGP said while responding to the police efforts to apprehend or eliminate the most wanted red rebel in the state.
Sources said that the Odisha Police located Sukru's hideout using drones and other gadgets, even as he had evaded police action since January.
Sukru (49), a native of Odisha's Malkangiri district, has been leading a small group of around 13 Maoists, mostly hailing from Chhattisgarh, posing a challenge for the security forces.
He was accused of hindering the police and those interested in surrendering.
In January this year, Sukru killed one of his junior, Anwesh, who wanted to surrender to the police. He buried Anwesh's body in a jungle with the help of his associates, such as Shila and Jogesh. Meanwhile, Jogesh was neutralized on February 22, according to Kandhamal SP Harisha B C.
Anwesh was a divisional committee member and military platoon commander, the SP said.
However, sources said that Sukru, under severe pressure from his family and the continued police operation, was showing interest in surrendering, but he faced strong opposition from his associates.
As a state committee member, Sukru carries a bounty of Rs 55 lakh and is considered the most senior active Maoist in Odisha.
Ten Maoists, including state committee member Sanu Pottam alias Nitu, surrendered in Kandhamal on March 11. Similarly, on March 15, divisional committee member Nakul and 10 others also laid down arms.
Khurania said he was optimistic that the Odisha Police would meet the deadline of making Odisha Maoist-free by March 31.
ADG (anti-Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda had earlier called upon the Maoists to surrender and take advantage of the Odisha government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.