The Death of Madvi Hidma: Analyzing the End of a Top Maoist Commander and Its Impact on the Fight Against Red Terror

 

Top Maoist Madvi Hidma was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh this morning.

A Shadow Falls: The Hunt for a Notorious Insurgent

For years, Madvi Hidma, the elusive top Maoist commander, remained a phantom figure. This morning, however, the long hunt ended when he was gunned down in an encounter by the Andhra Pradesh police. Security forces had tried in vain for years to corner the notorious insurgent. The difficulty of the task was compounded by the fact that there were no recent photographs or reliable intelligence to guide the police. Hidma operated behind a solid information network and a protective security ring that consistently warned him of any impending danger, allowing him to evade every trap set by security forces. The continued anti-Maoist offensive, however, has recently placed the rebels on the defensive, forcing many to surrender. It was during this push that Hidma and five others, including his wife, Raje, were finally cornered and killed in an encounter in a forest area near the tri-junction of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.

The Genesis of a Rebel: Hidma’s Early Life and Recruitment

Madvi Hidma, also known as Deva or Hidmalu, was born in 1981 in Puvarti village in Sukma, now part of Chhattisgarh. He studied up to Class 10 before choosing to join the Maoist movement. Reports suggest he was initially drawn to the rebel cause after witnessing Maoists actively engaging in community work, such as building a pond in his village. The decades-long underdevelopment of the Bastar region, where Sukma is located, was a crucial factor that fueled and sustained the Maoist movement in the early 2000s.

His first mentor is believed to be Ramesh Pudiyami alias Badaranna, a surrendered Maoist. Badaranna recalled the young Hidma's enthusiasm and desire to join, agreeing to take him on. Hidma worked under him for two years before being entrusted with the command of a platoon.

Discipline and Drive: A Swift Ascendancy

Hidma's rise through the ranks was remarkably rapid. He soon became the leader of a battalion in the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and eventually became the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist)'s Central Committee, the apex decision-making body. He was the only tribal member from the Bastar region to sit on the Central Committee and was a prominent figure within the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee. While his local roots and connections were helpful, those familiar with his career attribute his swift ascent to his unwavering discipline.

According to Sundari, a former Maoist now serving in the anti-rebel force, the District Reserve Guard, Hidma was a diligent and avid reader who woke up daily at 4 am to read news reports and stay informed. He enforced intensive physical training for his battalion and was described as "ruthless" in this regard, understanding that superior physical fitness was the rebels’ greatest advantage during security encounters. Crucially, he earned his battalion's respect by consistently leading from the front. Sundari also noted that the commander had no vices but enjoyed beef, chicken, and tea, and, being diabetic, only consumed chapati.

Master Strategist: The Architect of Lethal Attacks

The battalion commanded by Hidma was widely regarded as the Maoists' most lethal strike unit. He is linked to at least 26 major Maoist attacks, including some of the most devastating in the organization's history:

• 2010 Dantewada Massacre: 76 paramilitary personnel were killed.

• 2013 Jhiram Ghati Ambush: 27 people, including top Chhattisgarh Congress leaders, were killed.

• 2021 Sukma-Bijapur Ambush: Believed to have been masterminded by Hidma, resulting in the deaths of 22 security personnel.

An expert in jungle warfare, Hidma maintained an elaborate security ring to successfully evade capture for so long. Sundari, who was once part of this detail, stated that his security was more extensive than that afforded to state police chiefs. His inner circle consisted of commandos armed with sophisticated weapons, and he relied on informers in surrounding settlements to continuously update him on the movement of security forces, allowing him to avoid visiting villages directly. Hidma carried a bounty of over ₹50 lakh on his head.

The Monumental Victory and Its Strategic Implications

The feared Maoist was killed in a fierce exchange of fire with personnel from Andhra Pradesh’s specialised anti-Maoist force, the Greyhounds, at the Maredumilli forest in the Alluri Sitharamaraju district.

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police, Harish Kumar Gupta, called the operation a "monumental" victory for anti-Maoist efforts nationwide. "Hidma's elimination marks a crucial turning point in anti-Maoist efforts. It has removed the head of CPI (Maoist)'s most potent military wing," the top cop stated, noting that Hidma was highly effective at motivating young tribals to join the rebel ranks.

Hidma’s death is a massive and timely blow to the Maoist organization, which is already struggling significantly under the pressure of the Centre's security offensive and a growing number of surrenders. His elimination is expected to further cripple the rebel leadership and decisively aid the government's efforts to purge the region of the 'Red Terror'