Telangana DGP Honors 2008 Balimela Ambush Martyrs with Land Pattas After 18-Year Wait
In a significant gesture of recognition and support, Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Shivadhar Reddy on Tuesday distributed house site pattas to the families of police personnel who were martyred in the devastating 2008 Balimela Maoist ambush. This long-awaited action brings closure to an 18-year struggle for ownership of plots that were originally promised by the government.
Ceremony at DGP Office Benefits 33 Families
The formal distribution ceremony was held at the DGP Office in Hyderabad, where approximately 33 beneficiaries received official title deeds for 200-square-yard plots located in Gajularamaram. The event marked a poignant moment for the bereaved families, who have endured years of uncertainty and bureaucratic hurdles.
Recalling the Tragic 2008 Balimela Ambush
DGP Shivadhar Reddy somberly recounted the predawn ambush that occurred on June 29, 2008. In that tragic incident, Maoist insurgents opened fire and hurled grenades at a launch that was ferrying a Greyhounds combing party across the Balimela Reservoir in Odisha. The attack resulted in the loss of 38 brave personnel, including 32 elite Greyhound commandos.
"The incident occurred barely two months after I took charge as DIG of the special intelligence branch (SIB)," Reddy stated, adding that the memory of the fallen heroes continues to haunt him to this day.
Overcoming Land Allotment and Encroachment Challenges
The journey to this distribution was fraught with obstacles. The original land allotment in Gajularamaram, which was sanctioned back in 2013, quickly ran into significant encroachment issues. Subsequently, a replacement parcel of land in the same area became entangled in complex survey discrepancies, further delaying the process.
These persistent issues were finally addressed last year through a crucial amendment, Government Order (GO) 132. Under this order, new survey details were regularized, effectively clearing the legal and administrative path for the distribution of the title deeds to the rightful beneficiaries.
Symbol of State Recognition and Continued Support
Additional DGP (Greyhounds) Anil Kumar emphasized that the house site allotment serves as a powerful symbol of the state's recognition of the supreme sacrifice made by the martyred personnel. He assured the gathered families of the government's ongoing commitment to providing further support and assistance in the future.
The distribution program was attended by several senior police officers, including Additional DGP (Intelligence) Vijay Kumar and IGP (SIB) B Sumathi, underscoring the department's collective respect and solidarity.
Celebrating Excellence: Greyhounds Commandos Honored
In a related celebratory note during the event, DGP Shivadhar Reddy also extended his congratulations to several Greyhounds personnel who were recently honored with the prestigious 2024 Union Home Minister's 'Special Operation Medal' (Dakshata Padak). The recipients included:
- Greyhounds Group Commander J Raghavender Reddy
- Senior Commandos T Rakesh and U Mallayya
- Junior Commando G Sai Kumar
This dual focus on honoring the past sacrifices while celebrating present achievements highlighted the enduring spirit and dedication of the Telangana police force.
