Bastar locals demand death penalty for surrendered Maoist commander responsible for killing more than 100 people

RAIPUR: Ten days after the surrender of “biggest Maoist commander of Bijapur” who is known for killing more than 100 people, the local residents have protested against his possibility to mainstream society and organized a rally in Gangaloor, they demanded strict punishment to the surrendered cadre.
Raju Kalmu, the former Sarpanch of Gangaloor, revealed that between 2005 and his surrender, Dinesh extorted money from truck drivers, contractors, and others in the area through force. He added that anyone who spoke out against him was killed, and he was responsible for significant damage to government property, as well as attacks on security personnel.
Kalmu said that such a dreaded Maoist should never be pardoned by the government, and that an FIR should be filed against him for his past crimes, with harshest punishment like death penalty.
A hardcore Maoist — Dinesh Modiyam is described by police as “Bijapur’s most violent Maoist commander” involved in multiple ambushes and last served as secretary of Gangaloor committee which is a unit feared for brutal murders of villagers, off-duty police personnel and even fellow cadres.
Dinesh and his wife Kala Tati, a Maoist ‘area committee member’, came with their child to surrender. Police said he gave up arms because he feared for his own life.
Police sources said that Dinesh has stated he killed people against his wishes and due to the Maoist formation’s demand and preferences.
Amid Chhattisgarh cabinet has approved the new Maoist Surrender/Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025, that will offer economic assistance, rehabilitation, education, employment, and security to Maoists who surrender, writing off the criminal cases against Modiyam would be a huge decision for the govt to make.
The locals in large numbers took out a protest rally in Bijapur’s Gangaloor on Tuesday and handed over the memorandum to the Tehsildar stating, “Dinesh Modium is responsible for more than 200 murders, the destruction of numerous homes, and the displacement of many families. His actions have led to the backwardness of around 152 villages in the region. During his time in the Maoist organization, he used armed force to kill not only unemployed youths but also students, labourers, women, and children.”
The villagers added that such a brutal Maoist commander should not be given rehabilitation benefits but should instead face the death penalty for his crimes. They warned that if their demands are not met, they will be forced to stage a large-scale protest at the district headquarters.
Praveen Uika, the former Sarpanch of Kamkanar village, shared that Dinesh’s reign of terror extended across 152 villages in the region, where the mere mention of his name struck fear in the hearts of locals. Uika stated that no one was spared by Dinesh; innocent villagers were murdered on the name of ‘informers’, and many were forcibly evicted from their homes. Uika, like other villagers, called for Dinesh to be sentenced to death instead of benefiting from any surrender or rehabilitation programmes.
Speaking to TOI, Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj said, “In the last couple of seasons there has been a significant increase in the number of Maoist cadres who have shun violence and joined the mainstream. More importantly even senior level cadres like division committee members, Area Committee members, PLGA cadres are also coming forward to surrender and avail the benefits of the rehabilitation policy of the government. It is a reality that senior level cadres before surrender might have been involved in various violent activities during their active days in the Maoist formations. But as an outcome of the recent setbacks in the Maoist strongholds, many senior cadres are deserting from the Maoist camps and want to lead a meaningful life.”
“We would deal with the criminal cases of the surrendered cadres as per the provisions of surrender and rehabilitation policy. But the very fact that more and more active senior Maoist cadres coming out of LWE ecosystem and joining the mainstream itself would bring in lot of positive changes in our favour,” IG said.
Meanwhile, Maoist of South sub-divisional zone have issued a statement addressing comrades and the public alleging that Dinesh and his wife have run away with party’s money and surrendered before ‘enemies’.
“For past one year, which has been difficult, Dinesh was suffering from negativities. He and his wife eloped with the organization’s money and cheated on us. The party will never forgive them,” the statement issued by Samta, the Maoist spokesperson said.