Naxal leader with Rs 5 lakh bounty on head dies of Covid

Madkam Ramesh, a senior commander of Naxalite rebels on the wanted list of Chhattisgarh police, died of COVID 19. He had a Rs 5 lakh reward on his head and several serious offences against him.

Sukuma (Chhattisgarh): A senior commander of the banned outfit Communist Party of India (Maoist), with a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, died of Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh state.

Madkam Ramesh had gone to his Pulanpadh village in Sukma district and complained of cough and fever for some time - days after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Sukma SP Salabh Sinha, said, "The police is getting information that Naxalite commander Ramesh died of corona but we are trying to collect more information regarding this."

"Ramesh was active in Keralapal and its adjoining areas of Sukma district for a long time and has been involved in many major incidents. He was carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh, he said.

Meanwhile, there is an atmosphere of gloom among the Naxalites after the news of Ramesh's death. However, police believe that the death of Ramesh will weaken the rebels in the Keralapala area.