In a significant blow to left-wing extremism in the region, a top Maoist commander carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.1 crore was killed in a pre-dawn security operation in Odisha's Kandhamal district on Thursday. The slain leader was identified as Paka Hanumanthu, alias Ganesh Uike, a 69-year-old central committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and the outfit's Odisha in-charge.
The Final Encounter in Kandhamal Forests
The operation, which unfolded in the hilly and forested terrain of southern Odisha bordering Chhattisgarh, resulted in the deaths of four Maoists. Security forces recovered four bodies—two men and two women—all in uniform. The recoveries included two INSAS rifles and a .303 rifle. Kandhamal Superintendent of Police Harish BC confirmed that Ganesh's identity had been verified, while the identities of the other three cadres were being established.
This encounter raised the total number of rebels killed in Kandhamal to six within a 24-hour period, following the death of two Maoists, including an area committee member, on Wednesday. Ganesh Uike's death marks the first neutralisation of a Maoist central committee member in Odisha.
A Veteran Underground Leader and His Violent Legacy
Ganesh Uike, who used multiple aliases like Rupa, Rajesh Tiwari, and Chamu, was a veteran of over four decades in the underground movement. Security agencies linked him to several major attacks, most notably the deadly May 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. In that attack, a convoy of Congress functionaries was targeted, leading to the on-the-spot death of at least 27 people and injuries to 34 others. This episode kept him high on the most-wanted lists across Maoist-affected states.
Born in Pullemla village of Telangana's Nalgonda district, he left his BSc studies unfinished and went underground in 1982. He later rose to become a key organiser and commander in West Bastar, Chhattisgarh, holding positions such as secretary and in-charge of the divisional committee.
Intelligence Lead and a Firm Refusal to Surrender
Thursday's successful operation is reported to have been aided by credible intelligence provided by 22 Maoists who surrendered in Odisha's Malkangiri district on December 22. This information helped security forces track Ganesh's movements. Police sources stated that Ganesh had shown no intention of surrendering. In recent months, he had publicly criticised a central committee colleague, Chandranna, for surrendering to Telangana police and had insisted that the Maoist movement would continue despite setbacks.
He carried individual bounties of Rs 40 lakh in Chhattisgarh and Rs 25 lakh each in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
A Turning Point in the Fight Against Naxalism
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the operation as a decisive moment. His office stated that it was a "significant milestone towards Naxal-free Bharat" and reaffirmed the government's resolution to eliminate Naxalism before March 31, 2026. Shah has set this date as the nationwide deadline to end Maoist insurgency and noted that Odisha is on the verge of becoming free of left-wing extremism.
The elimination of such a senior and experienced leader is expected to significantly disrupt Maoist operations in the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border region, dealing a major psychological and operational blow to the banned outfit.
