TOP MAOIST HIDMA KILLED IN CRIPPLING BLOW TO LWE

INTRODUCTION

The killing of top CPI (Maoist) leader Madvi Hidma marks one of the most significant blows to the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) movement in India. Hidma, aged 50, was neutralised along with his wife and four other Maoists during an encounter with Andhra Pradesh Police in the Maredumilli forests of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. This operation comes at a crucial time when security forces across multiple states have intensified counter-insurgency campaigns, resulting in large numbers of kills, surrenders and arrests.

WHO WAS HIDMA?

Hidma, a native of Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, had been one of the most feared and elusive Maoist commanders for nearly two decades. Rising from a Bal Sangham member in 1991 to a Central Committee leader, he commanded the elite PLGA Battalion No. 1.

He is believed to have played a key role in major Maoist attacks including:

  • Tadmetla (2010)

  • Darbha/Jhiram Valley massacre (2013)

  • Burkapal ambush (2017)

  • Tarrem attack (2021)

Known for strategic mobility across interstate borders and layered security rings, Hidma carried a reward of ₹1 crore.

DETAILS OF THE ANDHRA PRADESH ENCOUNTER

On Tuesday morning, state police conducted a targeted operation after credible intelligence inputs indicated that senior Maoist leaders fleeing pressure in Chhattisgarh were regrouping in Maredumilli.

Key facts from the police operation:

  • Encounter time: 6:30 am to 7:10 am

  • Deceased: Hidma, wife Madakam Raje, Lakmal (divisional committee member), Kamlu, Malla and Deve (Hidma’s personal guard)

  • Weapons recovered: Two AK-47 rifles, pistol, revolver, single-bore weapon, ammunition, kit bags

  • Post-mortem initiated per procedure

Simultaneously, police teams arrested 31 individuals linked to Maoist networks across Vijayawada, NTR district, Krishna and Kakinada districts.

RECENT STATISTICS OF COUNTER-LWE OPERATIONS

In the past year, security forces across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have:

  • Neutralised: At least 270 Maoists

  • Surrendered: At least 1,225 Maoists

  • Arrested: 680 individuals, including senior leaders

Senior leaders killed recently include Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraju), and central committee members Uday (Gajrala Rao), Katta Ramachandra Reddy and Kadri Satyanarayan Reddy.

The Union Home Ministry recently announced a reduction of LWE-affected districts from 18 to 11.

UNION HOME MINISTER’S DEADLINE

According to senior officials, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed forces to eliminate Hidma by November 30. Furthermore, he set a broader deadline of March 31, 2026 for complete eradication of Left-Wing Extremism.

Hidma’s elimination 12 days before the deadline is seen as a symbolic breakthrough in this national security strategy.

STRUCTURAL BREAKDOWN OF LWE AND MASS SURRENDERS

Recent mass surrenders indicate a deepening internal crisis within the CPI (Maoist):

Examples include:

  • In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, veteran leader Mallojula Venugopal Rao (Sonu/Bhupathi) surrendered with 60 cadres.

  • In Sukma, Kanker and Kondagaon, 78 Maoists (including 43 women and two DKSZC members) laid down arms.

  • On October 17, senior leader Rupesh (Satish) surrendered with 209 cadres in Bastar.

These incidents indicate declining morale, loss of leadership, and sustained operational pressure.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK – STATUTES GOVERNING ANTI-LWE OPERATIONS

Anti-LWE operations in India draw legitimacy from various statutes enabling the State to use force, conduct arrests, and prosecute insurgents.

Criminal Law

  • Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860
    Sections commonly invoked include 121–124A (waging war, sedition), 302 (murder), 364A, 396, 397, 120B, etc.

  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967

    • Designates CPI (Maoist) as a terrorist organisation.

    • Allows extended detention, special courts, and enhanced sentencing.

Procedural Powers

  • Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973

    • Section 144: Preventive orders

    • Sections 149–152: Police powers to prevent offences

    • Section 46(2): Use of force including causing death if accused resists

    • Section 43/43A of UAPA for special investigative powers

Security Forces’ Operational Powers

  • Indian Forest Act & State Forest Acts
    Allow entry, search, and pursuit in forest areas.

  • Arms Act, 1959
    Prosecution for illegal possession and use of arms.

  • Evidence Act, 1872 – Section 27
    Admissibility of recoveries from accused during police investigations.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS RELEVANT TO ANTI-LWE OPERATIONS

Article 21

Guarantees right to life and procedure established by law. State action against insurgents must still follow due process, except in genuine encounters.

Article 355

Obligation of the Union to protect states against internal disturbance.

Article 256 and 257

Cooperation and control of the Union over State operations involving national security.

Article 33

Allows Parliament to restrict fundamental rights of armed forces and police during counter-insurgency operations.

Article 19(2) to (4)

Reasonable restrictions on speech, assembly and association relating to security and sovereignty.

JUDICIAL PRECEDENTS ON ENCOUNTERS AND ANTI-INSURGENCY OPERATIONS

PUCL vs State of Maharashtra (2014), Supreme Court

Laid down 16-point guidelines for investigating police encounters.

Naga People’s Movement vs Union of India (1997)

Explained conditions under which armed forces can operate in disturbed areas (relating to AFSPA, but principle extends to counter-insurgency legality).

Extra Judicial Execution Victim Families Association (EEVFAM) vs Union of India (2016)

Held that even in insurgency areas, fake encounters are impermissible; investigations are mandatory.

Kartar Singh vs State of Punjab (1994)

Upheld constitutionality of stringent anti-terror laws, subject to safeguards.

State of West Bengal vs Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR), 2010

Reaffirmed that investigation of encounter-related crimes can be supervised by High Courts/Supreme Court.

ANALYSIS – WHAT HIDMA’S KILLING MEANS FOR LWE

Hidma’s death symbolises:

  • Collapse of top-tier Maoist leadership

  • Loss of operational command in the Dandakaranya region

  • Disruption of interstate coordination in Bastar, Sukma and border forests

  • Increased intelligence superiority of security forces

  • Beginning of end for Battalion No. 1, the most violent Maoist strike unit

With mass surrenders and leadership decapitation, the organisational structure of CPI (Maoist) shows signs of fragmentation.

CONCLUSION

The neutralisation of Madvi Hidma represents a turning point in India’s decades-long battle against Left-Wing Extremism. Supported by statutory anti-terror frameworks, constitutional mandates for internal security, and growing enforcement intelligence, the State has struck a decisive blow to Maoist insurgency.

While human rights concerns remain and must be addressed through transparent procedure and adherence to judicial guidelines, this operation underscores the increasing operational capacity of security forces and the weakening hold of Maoist insurgency across central India.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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