Hidma, who led the group of armed Maoist cadres, which attacked CRPF personnel in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Monday, has eluded the security agencies for over a decade now. Security agencies don’t even have his recent photograph, except grainy images dating back to 2007.
He heads the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion 1, one of the most lethally armed and trained unit of the Maoists active in southern Chhattisgarh. An official said Hidma’s second wife Raje, alias Rajakka, is also a part of the armed guerrilla group and accompanied him during Monday’s ambush on CRPF personnel, which left 25 dead.
The Dandakaranya region, which encompasses parts of Maharashtra, southern Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is said to be the stronghold of the Maoists which they consider a “liberated zone.”
Risen from ranks
Officials said Hidma had risen from the ranks and had been tasked to carry out operations against security forces in smaller groups.
A Class 8 dropout, Hidma belongs to Jagargunda in Sukma district and is said to wield tremendous influence on the locals there.
