Woman Maoist commander shot dead in Bastar

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh police gunned down a woman Maoist commander, who carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh, in Bastar, on Tuesday dealing yet another blow to insurgents in the state.
Seema Mandavi, of the Maoists' of Sitanandi Area Committee, was accused in dozens of cases of murder, arson, violence and loot, say police. She was one of the most dreaded names in the region.
Police were tipped off on Monday about the presence of 15-20 Maoists in the forest around Katti village on the border of Dhamtari and Kanker districts.A team of Special Task Force was immediately sent to intercept them.
The forces closed on the rebels around 6am on Tuesday. Police say the Maoists started firing at them. STF retaliated and the gunbattle went on for about half an hour after which the rebels retreated. STF men found a dead woman Maoist, in uniform, and an Insas rifle and two magazines lying next to her.
Discovery of the assault rifle indicated that she wasn't a mere foot soldier. She was soon identified as Seema Mandavi. She was active in the region for many years.
Home minister Tamradwaj Sahu said the operation was based on precise intelligence input and proved to be a success. "Maoism will soon be eradicated from the state as most of the senior leaders and commanders are either getting arrested or killed," he said.