Top Maoist Leader Madvi Hidma Killed in Andhra Pradesh Encounter: Major Blow to Insurgency Movement

Notorious Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, who carried a bounty of Rs 50 lakh, has been killed in an encounter with security forces in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharamaraju district.

The deadly confrontation occurred in the Maredumilli forest area near the tri-junction of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, resulting in the deaths of at least six rebels, including Hidma. The operation is still ongoing.

According to Andhra Pradesh's Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, the firefight took place between 6 am and 7 am, with security forces confirming that "six Maoists were killed, including a top Maoist leader," while a "massive combing operation is currently underway."

Hidma, born in 1981 in Sukma (then part of Madhya Pradesh), had risen through the ranks to command a battalion of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army. He achieved the distinction of being the youngest member of the CPI Maoist's Central Committee, their highest decision-making body, and was the only tribal representative from the Bastar region in this elite group. Reports indicate his wife, Raje alias Rajakka, was also killed during the encounter.

The slain Maoist commander was implicated in numerous deadly attacks on security forces, including the 2010 Dantewada assault that claimed 76 CRPF personnel lives, the 2013 Jhiram Ghati ambush killing 27 people (including prominent Congress leaders), and the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur operation where 22 security personnel died.

Hidma's elimination represents a significant setback for the already struggling Maoist movement, which has been weakened by intensified security operations and increasing surrenders among its ranks.

At last month's NDTV World Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that "more than 300 Maoists surrendered within 24 hours." He emphasized the devastating impact of Maoist terrorism over the past five decades, noting they "would not allow schools or hospitals to be built, they would not let doctors enter clinics, and they would bomb institutions," calling it "an injustice to the young people."

The Prime Minister added that the government has focused on reintegrating former Maoists into society, stating, "Today the country is seeing the result of these efforts."

Among recent high-profile surrenders was Mallojula Venugopal Rao, known as Bhupathi, who turned himself in on October 14. Following his surrender, Bhupathi urged his former comrades to abandon armed struggle, acknowledging their violent methods had alienated them from the people they claimed to represent. He called on "active Maoists" to "leave the way of violence, surrender, and join the mainstream and work among people."