In a significant development following a major anti-Maoist operation, the body of senior Maoist leader Ganesh Uike was handed over to his family members on Saturday. Uike, a central committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and the head of the outfit in Odisha, was among six insurgents killed in separate encounters with security forces in the Kandhamal forest on Wednesday and Thursday.
Handover Amid Tight Security
The Kandhamal Superintendent of Police, Harish B C, confirmed that Uike's body was formally handed over to his younger brother and nephew in Phulbani. The process was conducted under strict security protocols. However, a somber situation unfolded regarding the other five deceased Maoists, which included two women. Police officials stated that as of Saturday, no claimants had come forward to collect their bodies.
The authorities have decided to keep the bodies for the next two days, awaiting any family members or relatives. If no one claims them within this period, the police will proceed with the cremation. The postmortem examinations for all six individuals were completed on Friday at the district headquarters hospital in Phulbani, also amid heightened security measures.
A Notorious Insurgent Eliminated
Ganesh Uike, hailing from Pullemala village in Telangana's Nalgonda district, was a highly wanted figure operating under multiple aliases such as Rupa, Rajesh Tiwari, Chamru, and Pakka Hanumantu. Police accuse him of orchestrating several brutal attacks that plagued the region's peace. His alleged involvement includes the devastating 2013 Jhiram Valley attack, numerous targeted killings, and large-scale ambushes, making him a persistent threat to stability in Odisha and neighboring Chhattisgarh.
A Major Blow to Maoist Network
Senior police officers have hailed the operation as a critical success in the fight against Left-wing extremism. The elimination of a leader of Uike's stature, coupled with the seizure of a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site, is seen as a severe setback for the insurgent network in the region.
Security analysts suggest that this development brings the establishment closer to achieving the national goal, set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, of eradicating Left-wing extremism by March 31, 2026. The vacuum left by Uike's death is expected to disrupt Maoist operations and coordination significantly, marking a pivotal moment in the long-standing conflict in the tribal heartlands of central and eastern India.
