Maoist leader with Rs 40 lakh reward on him dies due to COVID; naxal camps badly hit by pandemic

Key Maoist leader Haribhushan alias Yapa Narayana, a Communist Party of India (Maoist) central committee member, died due to COVID-19 on June 21 in the Bijapur-Sukma inter-district border region of Chhattisgarh.

Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P. said reliable sources have confirmed the death of Haribhushan, the Telangana state committee secretary of CPI(Maoist) who was camping along Minaguram-Bhattigudam-Jabagatta jungles on South Bijapur-Sukma border of Bastar region during his illness. The senior Maoist leader carried a reward of Rs 40 lakh on him.

Sundarraj, in an official statement, said contrary to the claims of Maoist leaders, the COVID-19 situation in Naxal camps was very alarming. “More than 16 senior and middle level Naxal cadres have died in the last couple of months due to Corona. Many more cadres are also infected with COVID-19 and are desperate for treatment,” he said.

He has appealed to the Maoist cadres to shun violence and surrender before the state authorities to avail medical facilities.

A note from Bastar IG office said during the last few days, Bastar Police was continuously receiving information from certain quarters that a few senior Maoist cadres, including Haribhusan, were seriously ill due to COVID-19. The death of Haribhushan on June 21 was confirmed by reliable sources.

Haribhusan, known by the name Lakmu Dada, was active in Usur-Poojarikanker-Pamed area along Chhattisgarh-Telanagana border area and was involved in more than 22 cases in Chhattisgarh region, the note said.

Haribhusan, was also known as Jagan alias Duryodhan, was around 52 years of age. He belonged to Medagudam village of Mehbubnagar in Telangana.

The note said in December 2019, another central committee member and Dandakaranya special zonal committee secretary Ramana died in South Bastar region due to illness. Other key leaders, including two senior Dandakaranya special zonal committee members Ganga and Sobhroi, also died due to COVID-19 infection during the last couple of weeks.

Saying that Naxal camps are severely affected by the pandemic, IG Sundarraj appealed to the local villagers to keep themselves away from the activities of CPI Maoist cadres.