Security forces have achieved a significant symbolic breakthrough in ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division. In Sukma district, personnel carried out a major action on Gogunda Hill, where a large memorial dedicated to notorious Maoist commander and Central Committee member Ramanna was demolished.
The nearly 20-foot-high structure was considered a symbol of Maoist dominance and influence in the region. Its destruction is being seen as a strong message against the presence and ideology of left-wing extremism in the area.
Gogunda Hill had long been regarded as a fortified Maoist stronghold. For nearly four decades, the area remained beyond the regular reach of security forces due to dense forests and the heavy presence of Maoist cadres. However, the situation changed after the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) established a new camp in the region through its 74th Battalion. Officials now say the area has been completely freed from Maoist control.
Senior Maoist leader Ramanna had died of a heart attack in 2020. Following his death, Maoists constructed the memorial in the Gogunda hills, using it as a symbol of fear and authority to assert their influence over the surrounding region.
The demolition was carried out through a joint operation by the CRPF’s 74th Battalion and the CoBRA 201 Battalion. Security personnel secured the entire area before completely dismantling the structure.
According to police officials, the operation goes beyond removing a physical structure. It represents a determined effort to dismantle the Maoists’ ideological and psychological influence, which they have historically reinforced through such symbols and memorials.
Security agencies say fear of Maoists is steadily diminishing in the forests of Bastar. They have reiterated that operations will continue not only to curb Maoist activities but also to systematically remove symbols associated with their dominance in the region.
