Who Is Hidma? Mastermind Behind The Chhattisgarh Attack

by Shatakshi Gupta
Shatakshi Gupta
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In Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, 22 soldiers were killed in an encounter with Naxalites on Saturday. In this context, it is important to know about the nefarious mastermind behind this heinous attack. Commander Hidma of the People’s Liberation Gorilla Army (PLGA) Battalion 1 of the Naxalites is behind this attack.

 The police had been receiving intelligence about the whereabouts of Hidma and his associates in Jonaguda, Tekalgudum and Jiragaon in Bijapur and Sukma districts for the last few days. The state police launched a large scale mission to capture Hidma, but this whole planning backfired.

His battalion is equipped with a modern arsenal

On Saturday, Jawans of DRG, STF and CRPF entered the core area of ​​Naxalite commander Hidma.  Hidma’s battalion number 1 is armed with modern weapons.  The soldiers got trapped in the heavy firing, which resulted in the martyrdom of 22 soldiers. However, police claim that more than 12 Naxalites have also been killed. Sharing the input after the incident, IG of Bastar range told that we had received information about Hidma’s presence. The bodies of the Naxalites killed during the encounter have been filled in 3 tractors and their companions have fled. The search for Hidma continues.

Hidma was shot 4 years ago

Hidma is the big Naxal leader of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee. Four years ago, he was shot in an operation in Sukma, but he survived. There is a bounty of 25 lakh rupees on him.  Hidma is the only tribal who leads the most feared battalion of Naxalites. All other leaders are of Andhra Pradesh origin.

He was the mastermind behind many big attacks

It was Hidma, who was behind the Sukma attack, in which 12 CRPF jawans were killed.  Hidma was also involved in the 2013 attack on a convoy of Congress leaders in the Jhiram Valley. In this attack, 30 people including Congress leaders were killed.  Hidma is also believed to be behind the martyrdom of 76 CRPF personnel in Tadmetla near Chintalnar in 2010.

Also read: Chhattisgarh Naxal Attack: 22 Jawans Martyred, Many Get Injured

His personal life

Hidma’s full name is Mandvi Hidma aka Idmul Podiyam Bhima.  He is a resident of Pudati village in the Jagaragunda area of ​​Sukma district. Despite being illiterate, he not only speaks fluent English but also knows about computers. He has mastered guerrilla warfare. He has done two marriages. His wives are also involved in Naxal activities.  Hidma has three brothers. Two of his brothers are involved in farming activities. Whereas,the third, Mandvi, teaches Naxalites in Nanda village. According to the NIA’s database, Hidma’s age is said to be around 51 years.

A similar incident took place a year before

A fierce close encounter took place between the Naxalites and the jawans about 1 year ago in the forests of Kasalpad in Sukma district. In the 5 hourfiring, 17 soldiers of DRG and STF were martyred. The force returning from search at that time was surrounded by the Naxalites near KorajDongri. Then toothe force went to kill Naxalite leader Hidma.

Capturing Hidma is much needed

 After this latest encounter on Saturday, an official statement issued by the Bijapur police said that for many years, Naxalites use Battalion No.1 of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee as a powerful Gorilla Force. Its commander is Hidma.This battalion of Naxalites works to intimidate the villagers, weakening the democratic system. If the Naxalite problem is to be resolved in Bastar, then it is imperative to take major action against Battalion Number 1.

Naxalism at a glace:

Naxalism is the name of the armed movement of Indian Communist Party leader Charu Mazumdar and Kanu Sanyal against power. This movement was started in 1967 from Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal. Majumdar was a great admirer of Chinese Communist leader Mao Tse Tung and believed that government policies were responsible for the plight of Indian labourers and peasants.

Naxalites are against democracy and democratic institutions and resort to violence to end democratic processes at the grassroots level. They believe that they can change society by resorting to violence.