19 of 30 slain Maoists identified

New Delhi: A day after 30 Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh, police said 19 of the 30 slain Maoists, including 15 women, carrying a total reward of ₹1.03 crore, have been identified. In Bijapur alone, among the 26 cadres killed, 14 were women, Bastar police have said.

"Of the 26 Maoists killed in Bijapur, 18 have been identified so far and efforts are on to establish the identity of others. One of the Maoist leaders killed in Kanker was identified as Lokesh, Platoon Commander of PLGA company No.5," said IGP (Bastar Range) Sundaraj P.

Among those killed in Bijapur were West Bastar Divisional Committee members Sitto, who carried a reward of ₹8 lakh. Sitto and her husband, Jithru, a commander of Maoist Platoon No. 13 were notorious for their role in spreading terror in the region, the IGP said. Eight of the slain cadres were identified as area committee members, each with a reward of ₹5 lakh on their heads. The remaining cadres identified were part of Platoon No.13.