Raipur: Large quantities of gold and weapons have been recovered from the secret hideouts of Naxalites during anti-Naxal operations conducted by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected Bastar division. According to the police, approximately 8 kg of gold has been seized from various areas of Bastar over the past two years; this includes a large number of gold biscuits.
Police operations led to the discovery of underground dumps in remote areas such as Basaguda and Kutru in Bijapur district, as well as Barsur in Dantewada. Weapons, cash, and gold were found concealed in plastic drums and other containers at these secret hideouts. Gold biscuits were recovered alongside rifles like the AK-47 from some of these dumps.
Converting Cash into Gold After Demonetization
According to Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vivekanand, who is associated with anti-Naxal operations, the Naxalites began converting their assets into gold instead of hoarding large amounts of cash following the experience of demonetization. Security agencies believe the Naxalites viewed gold as an asset that could easily be converted back into cash when needed.
Police also discovered bundles of old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes in some of these secret dumps. This indicates that the Naxalites were unable to exchange all their cash holdings during the demonetization period.
Secret Underground Dumps
The Naxalites’ secret dumps in the forests were constructed with great care. Weapons, gold, and other items were packed into plastic drums and containers and buried underground. Security forces have uncovered several such hideouts during their operations.
According to the police, gold biscuits were found alongside modern rifles like the AK-47 at some locations. The approximately 8 kg of gold recovered over the last two years was found in such secret dumps. Assistance from Surrendered Cadres
Locating all the secret dumps established in the forests is no easy task for security forces. According to the police, information regarding many of these hideouts was restricted to a select few top leaders and Central Committee members of the Naxal organization; many of these leaders have since been killed.
Security agencies are now gathering information on these secret hideouts with the help of surrendered Naxal commanders and cadres. Based on intelligence provided by surrendered Special Zonal Committee cadres—such as Papa Rao—the police are searching for other dumps concealed within the forests.
Using Gold Instead of Cash for Expenses
According to the police, in some instances, Naxals provided gold biscuits to their leaders or cadres for expenses instead of cash. These biscuits would be sold to generate funds whenever the need arose.
Amidst sustained operations by security forces, the focus has now shifted to destroying these secret financial hubs and weapon dumps. Officials state that recovering assets and weapons hidden in the forests is helping them gain insight into the Naxal network’s financial and logistical infrastructure.
