Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Harish Kumar Gupta, has called the recent twin encounters in the dense Maredumilli forest region a ‘major success,’ while expressing confidence that the state could be cleared of Maoist presence by March 2026.
At a press briefing held in Rampachodavaram (Alluri Sitarama Raju district), the DGP said that two intense exchanges of fire took place on November 18 and 19 under ‘Operation Sambhav.’ According to the DGP, the first encounter claimed the life of Madvi Hidma, a top Maoist commander, and in the next incident, Metturi Joga Rao, alias Tech Shankar, along with his associates, were neutralized. In total, AP security forces estimate 13 Maoists were killed.
DGP Gupta stated that these operations mark a ‘huge achievement’ for the Andhra Pradesh police in their campaign against left-wing extremism. He reiterated that the state government, in coordination with central agencies, is fully committed to eradicating Maoist networks within the next few months.
In addition to the encounter casualties, the DGP confirmed that around 50 Maoists were arrested across five districts on November 18, shortly after the first exchange. Mr. Gupta warned remaining Maoist cadres that their choices were limited. ‘Either surrender and join the national mainstream, or be caught or neutralised,’ he said.
Wider crackdown
The police operation has not only involved lethal force but also a robust intelligence-led crackdown. As part of the follow-up, security forces carried out coordinated raids in NTR, Krishna, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Eluru districts.
During these raids, authorities seized a substantial cache of weapons, including firearms, ammunition, and explosives, underlining the operational capacity of the apprehended cadres.
Reaction from local tribal communities
While the police have framed the encounters as legitimate and effective, some local tribal residents in Maredumilli have expressed skepticism.
According to reports, a section of the adivasi community questioned how Maoist leaders would return to this area only to be killed in back-to-back operations, especially since they argue that this region has not been a Maoist stronghold in recent years.
Some tribal leaders even suggested the possibility of staged encounters. However, the DGP, along with ADGP (Intelligence) Mahesh Chandra Laddha, countered these claims, asserting that both exchanges of fire were genuine and based on actionable intelligence.
There are also voices within the tribal welfare groups warning that eliminating Maoists, some of whom were potential candidates for surrender, might discourage others from laying down their arms and rejoining society.
Strategic goals
DGP Gupta reaffirmed that the two recent encounters align with a broader target set by the Union Home Ministry to eliminate left-wing extremism in Andhra Pradesh.
He reiterated that ‘there is no place for violence in Andhra Pradesh’ and urged remaining Maoist elements to come forward and surrender.
He said the intelligence wing of the Andhra Pradesh Police is maintaining heightened vigilance along the border with Chhattisgarh, which, according to officials, is the route for recent Maoist infiltration.