The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has declared a reward of Rs 7 lakh for the arrest of Madvi Hidma, who heads the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion 1 of the Maoists that was involved in the April 3 ambush at the Sukma-Bijapur border where 22 security were killed.

Though the reward has been announced in a 2019 case pertaining to the killing of Chhattisgarh legislator Bhima Mandavi, the state police had said Madvi Hidma was involved in the 2021 Sukma-Bijapur border attack. A charge sheet was filed against Madvi Hidma in the Bhima Mandavi Murder case by the NIA.

Earlier, a team of NIA officials led by DIG from Delhi and SP Ranchi visited Chhattisgarh during the recent Maoist attack. The reward has been announced post this development.

Who Is Madvi Hidma?

Madvi Hidma, who is said to be around 40 years old, is a tribal from Puvarti village of Sukma district. He joined hands with the rebels in the 90s.

Hidma heads the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army's (PLGA) battalion number 1, a lethally armed and trained unit of the banned group active in southern Chhattisgarh, and known for his fierce and deadly ambushes. He leads around 180 to 250 Maoist fighters, including women. He is a member of the Maoists Dandakaranya Special Zonal committee (DKSZ).

He is also the youngest member of the CPI (Maoists) supreme 21-membered 'central committee'.