In a significant achievement in the battle against Maoist insurgency, security forces have apprehended hardcore Maoist leader Kunjam Hidma.
The arrest was made in the dense Petaguda forest under the Baipariguda police station limits in Koraput district.
Hidma had a bounty of Rs 4 lakh on his head, while the Chhattisgarh government declared an Rs 8 lakh reward for his capture.
During the operation, police recovered a substantial cache of Maoist supplies, including an AK-47 rifle and other critical materials. Security forces seized 47 firearms, 35 live rounds, a magazine, 27 detonators, 90 wire-free detonators, 2 kg of gunpowder, 2 steel tiffin boxes, 2 radios, 2 earphones, a walkie-talkie, 2 knives, 4 torchlights, Maoist literature, medicines, and clothing.
Hidma, who was reportedly an Area Committee Member (ACM), has been linked to seven major violent incidents in the region. His capture is seen as a significant success in reducing Maoist influence in Odisha. He was reportedly responsible for multiple attacks: four in Koraput and three in Malkangiri districts, orchestrating deadly assaults on security forces.
Authorities believe that his arrest marks a turning point in efforts to curb Maoist violence in the region. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the remaining insurgent networks.
