Raipur/Narayanpur, July 17: In a significant boost to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Narayanpur Police along with the 58th battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully recovered a concealed weapon dump belonging to Naxals during a joint search operation on Friday.

The coordinated effort was carried out in the dense forests under the Kohkameta police station area, aimed at strengthening security in the district’s Naxal-free zones and preventing the resurgence of extremist activities.

Acting on specific intelligence, the security personnel launched an intensive search in the Kachchapal forest region. After thorough combing, the teams discovered a well-hidden cache of arms and ammunition that Naxals had reportedly stashed away for future use.

The recovery marks another success in the sustained campaign to cleanse the area of leftover war material from earlier insurgent operations.

The police officials informed that items seized included one .303 rifle, one .315 rifle, and a locally made barrel launcher. Security forces also recovered 17 live cartridges of .303 bore, 10 live cartridges of 7.62 mm, and four 12-bore cartridges. Also, an empty .303 magazine, two cartridge fillers, and three .303 tracer rods were found at the site.

All the recovered materials have been carefully seized and handed over for further examination.

A formal case has been registered at the Kohkameta police station, and legal proceedings against the Naxal operatives involved are underway, the officials further said.

The police officials said the continued vigilance of Narayanpur Police and central security forces in the region will be maintained and even intensified.

For several months now, joint teams have been conducting regular and intensive search operations across the district’s vulnerable pockets. These proactive measures have led to the consistent recovery of weapons, explosives, and other contraband previously hidden by Naxal groups.

By systematically eliminating these hidden arsenals, the forces are not only disrupting potential militant activities but also reinforcing the atmosphere of peace and normalcy that residents have been experiencing in recent times.

Senior officials have praised the seamless coordination between the district police and the BSF unit, noting that such joint operations play a crucial role in maintaining law and order.

Local administration remains committed to sustaining pressure on anti-national elements while simultaneously focusing on development initiatives to win the trust of tribal communities.

The successful operation in Kachchapal forest is expected to further deter Naxal outfits from using the area as a safe haven for storing arms.

As security forces continue their pursuit, authorities have appealed to locals to share any relevant information that could help in neutralising remaining threats.

With multiple such recoveries reported in the recent past, Narayanpur district is steadily moving towards complete eradication of Naxal influence, paving the way for lasting peace and progress in the region.

In a significant breakthrough by police in Maharashtra, a farm labourer was arrested within 24 hours for the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl at her home near the state’s Wardha district, officials said on Friday.

The accused has been identified as 30-year-old Rahul Raju Madavi.

According to investigators, the minor was allegedly raped before being bludgeoned to death with a stone at her house in Wardha. Her’s partially unclothed body was discovered inside the house by her parents, police said.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s mother, the police registered a case under charges of murder and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Given the gravity of the matter, the police formed 14 special teams under the guidance of the Sub-Divisional Officer. Three suspects were detained overnight.

Saurabh Kumar Agrawal, Superintendent of Police, Wardha, said that following rigorous interrogation, accused Madavi confessed to committing the rape and murder.

The police suspect that two other individuals may have assisted the accused. Consequently, they have also been taken into custody.

The 12-year-old victim was a fifth-grade student. The family, hailing from Mahagaon in the state’s Yavatmal district, had been living in Wardha for the past five years. They resided in a hut located on a farm.

The accused, a labourer, used to frequent the area where the victim’s family lived, as he worked in a nearby field.

According to the police investigation, the minor’s parents were away from home on Wednesday. Taking advantage, the accused entered the premises and purportedly raped the girl before bludgeoning her to death with a stone.

Further, police stated that the investigation is being conducted in consultation with medical experts, and the rape allegation will be confirmed only after the medical report is received.

Moreover, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case, with the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) appointed to lead the team. Strict action will be taken against the guilty, and the case will be tried in a fast-track court as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the incident sparked grief and outrage in the area with residents blocking a road for a period, demanding the death penalty for the accused and a fast-track trial. Police have maintained a presence in the village to prevent any further disturbance.

Pune, July 16: In mounting trouble for the family of Siya Goyal, who is accused of allegedly murdering her fiancée Ketan Agarwal, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sealed a Pune shop owned by her father Praveen Goyal, following an inspection.

The family-owned business deals in spices and dry fruits.

Speaking to reporters, Praveen Goyal said, “On Tuesday, July 14, at around 11:30 a.m., officials from the Food and Drug Administration visited my shop. They collected four samples — two samples of ‘haldi’ (turmeric) powder, one of soya chunks, and one of a product called ‘Gavran Til’ (sesame). These are all products that are widely sold in the market, and I have complete purchase bills for them.”

“They have taken the samples and will carry out whatever action is required. The only issue they pointed out was that…I had previously operated from a rented shop, and we have a valid licence for the period 2025 to 2030. However, about six to seven months ago, when I shifted to my own shop, the shop number (Gala No. 348) was inadvertently not updated in the licence,” he mentioned.

Praveen Goyal added: “We have already applied for the correction, and it should be completed within the next 8–10 days. Until then, they have asked me to keep the shop closed, and I am complying with those instructions. Apart from this, there is no other issue.”

Ketan Agarwal was allegedly murdered by his fiancée Siya Goyal and her purported lover Chetan Chaudhary at Lohagad fort near Pune last month.

On Monday, Ketan’s mother Rakhi Agarwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking speedy justice for her son.

In an email sent to the Prime Minister, Rakhi Agarwal expressed the immense grief her family has endured since Ketan’s murder and underlined that she is not asking for any special favour.

“With folded hands, I humbly request you to kindly ensure that my son’s case receives the attention it deserves and that justice is delivered without unnecessary delay. Please do not let Ketan become just another case file. He was someone’s son, someone’s grandson, someone’s brother, but to me, he was my entire world,” she appealed.

Earlier, the victim’s father, Vishal Agarwal, had written to President Droupadi Murmu seeking a fast-tracked investigation.