The country’s most wanted Maoist leader, Koteswara Rao, better known as Kishenji, was killed by joint forces in the biggest operation launched since the new West Bengal government assumed office in May. The development is a major shot in the arm for the Mamata Banerjee government,
Reacting to reports of the Kishenji encounter. Union home secretary R.K. Singh said it appears the person was most likely Kishenji. “It is 99 per cent confirmed that Kishenji was killed in the encounter but we are still waiting for final confirmation and have sent the latest photographs of the Maoist leaders to be matched with the body,” Mr Singh said.
The Union home ministry and intelligence agencies were in constant touch with forces at ground zero following confirmed reports that Kishenji was holed up in the jungles of Binpur region. “The directive this time was clear — Kishenji should not escape this time. We had concrete information this time following the arrest of at least four of his close associates from the Jangal-mahal region,” a top home ministry official said.
Sources said two villagers, once members of the Maoist-backed frontal organisation PCPA who had seen Kishenji when the Lalgarh movement was at its peak, also identified him. To be doubly sure, the police sent some pictures of the corpse to Jagori Baske, a top Maoist leader who had surrendered before the chief minister. She, too, confirmed that the body was that of Kishenji.