News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/25th June 2024
In a significant breakthrough, security forces on Sunday confiscated a substantial amount of counterfeit currency and printing materials during a raid on a Maoist hideout in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district. This marks the first seizure of its kind in the Bastar division, highlighting the ongoing efforts to curb Maoist activities in the region.
The operation led to the discovery of fake currency notes in denominations of Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200, and Rs 500. Alongside the counterfeit money, two firearms and a cache of explosives were also seized. Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan revealed that Maoists have been distributing fake currency through weekly village markets in the remote areas of Bastar with the intention of destabilizing the local economy.
“We received intelligence indicating that Maoists from the Konta area committee were engaged in printing fake currency in the forests near Korajguda village,” stated SP Chavan. Korajguda is strategically located between the Maoist strongholds of Chintagufa and Kistaram, near the junction of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, approximately 500 kilometers south of Raipur.
A coordinated team comprising the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), District Reserve Guards, Bastar Fighters, and local police forces conducted the raid. They recovered a substantial quantity of fake currency, color printers, and 200 bottles of ink. SP Chavan added, “The Maoists were running this operation as a significant project. Insurgents from the ‘West Bastar division’ had trained one or two cadres from each area committee in 2022 to manage this unit. The Konta area committee was responsible for printing fake notes in Mailasur, Danteshpuram, and Korajguda in Sukma district.”
It appears that the Maoists fled the site in a hurry, leaving behind their equipment. This is unusual, as they typically try to salvage as much of their gear as possible due to increasing difficulties in obtaining supplies. “The Maoists are attempting to circulate large quantities of fake currency because their funding has been severely restricted due to the sustained pressure from security forces,” added SP Chavan.
This operation underscores the persistent challenges security forces face in combating Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh. The seizure of counterfeit currency is particularly significant, as it disrupts the Maoists’ efforts to destabilize the local economy and fund their activities through illegal means.
The raid’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between various security agencies. By targeting the financial networks of the Maoists, security forces aim to weaken their operational capabilities and reduce their influence in the region.
The Maoist insurgency has long plagued the Bastar division, and operations like this one are crucial in the ongoing battle to restore peace and stability. As the security forces continue to put pressure on the insurgents, it is hoped that such actions will deter future attempts to disrupt the region’s economy and security.
The next steps will likely involve intensified surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts to prevent the re-establishment of similar operations. The authorities remain committed to dismantling the infrastructure that supports Maoist activities, ensuring that such threats to regional stability are effectively neutralized.
