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 ...