The State police believe that a senior cadre hailing from Telangana was among those killed in the encounter with the Maharashtra police on Sunday.
The district police officials suspect that the dead Maoists included Rautu Rajender (41) alias Srinu alias Srikanth, belonging to Challegarige village of Chityal mandal. He had been underground since 18 years and rose to the rank of Maoist party district committee member of South Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. He carried a reward of ₹5 lakh in the State.
On Sunday Maharashtra police acting on credible information that a group of Maoists were holding a meeting there raided Borivi forest area in Gadchiroli district. On wee hours of Sunday, the police parties spotted the scores of naxals who upon seeing the police, opened fire.
Three women were among the 37 extremists killed in the exchange of fire with the police.
Only daughter
The slain naxalite, Rajender has a daughter Ramya, who is studying 9th class and has been adopted by the district police. His wife died long ago in an exchange of fire. He has an ailing mother and physically challenged brother.
However the district police did not confirm his name among those killed.
Combing operations
Meanwhile, the district police were on alert as the encounter site is 80 kilometre from the district and there is every possibility that the naxals who escaped with or without injuries might cross into the forest areas in the adjacent Telangana.
The police launched combing operations in forest area abutting Mahadevpur, Palimela, Kaleswaram, Eturunagaram, Mangapet, Wazedu and Venkatapuram mandals that are on the border with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
District Superintendent of Police, R. Bhaskaran was not available for comment and is learnt to be away on an important assignment.
