RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh police has claimed to have gunned down a “notorious and cruel” Maoist during a gun battle in Maoist insurgency-hit Sukma district of south Chhattisgarh today. Sukma district Superintendent of Police (SP) I. Kalyaan Elsela said, “Based on the inputs about plans of Maoists belonging to Kerlapal Area Committee to attack security forces, 70 policemen and STF (Special Task Force) men were on a search operation in Dornapal area (of Sukma). The security forces came under heavy fire today morning near Ponga Bejji village (sic). The forces fired in self-defense. During the search of the area after the firing, a male body in Maoist uniform was recovered from the area”, the SP said. The security forces also recovered one automatic pistol and one country made weapon during the search of the encounter spot. A dead man was identified as Punem Podiya, the RPC president of the Kerlapal Area Committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), Bastar range Inspector-General of police S.R.P.Kalluri said. Police sources say, Punem Podiya is known to be very cruel and notorious Maoist. “He had killed many villagers of Vagdai, Samsatti, Pongabhejji, Gandarpara village labeling them as police informers. He also took part in many attacks and ambush on Security Forces in Kerlapal area,” the source added. ]]>
