Both Maoists carried a combined reward of ₹43 lakh. Deepak (56), who joined the Naxal organisation in 1986, was wanted in over 100 criminal cases. Security forces also recovered SLR, INSAS rifles, and other weapons and explosives dumped by Naxals in the region.
Madhya Pradesh Declares MMC Zone Free of Naxal Influence
According to Madhya Pradesh Police, the surrender of these two cadres marks the final collapse of the MMC zone.
However, the situation remains different in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, where the Dandakaranya region is still affected by Naxal violence. After the surrender of senior leader Satish alias Rupesh, the Maoists’ Maad division has weakened significantly. Police continue to search for senior leaders like Deva (Battalion 1 commander) and Papa Rao in West Bastar.
How Naxalism Spread in Madhya Pradesh
Naxal influence first expanded in MP in the early 1990s across Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori districts. They used intimidation, weapons, and violence to establish control. The first FIR against Naxalites in MP was filed in 1990 at Birsa police station, after which anti-Naxal operations began.
From 1990 to 2025:
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38 police personnel were martyred
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57 civilians were killed
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45 armed Naxalites were neutralized
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28 Naxalites were arrested
Special forces such as Hawk Force, CRPF, CoBRA, and district police units penetrated deep interior areas, shrinking the Maoist network.
Formation of the MMC Zone
Between 2014 and 2016, Naxalites developed the tri-state border area as the MMC zone.
Central Committee member Milind Teltumbde was made in-charge.
The zone had 80–100 armed cadres and was divided into two divisions:
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GBR Division – Gondia, Balaghat, Rajnandgaon (headed by Mangoo)
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KB Division – Kanha, Bhoramdeo (headed by Surendra alias Kabir)
SZCM Anant served as the spokesperson for the entire zone.
