'Captured, tortured, then killed', says release

According to the statement, Central Committee member and Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee secretary Hidmal, along with five others, was "captured" in Andhra Pradesh on November 15, "tortured for three days" and later killed. The police had earlier announced that six Maoists were killed in an encounter in the Maredumilli forests on November 18.

The group also alleged that seven Maoists, including AOB (Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee) member Shankar, were killed in a "fake encounter" in Rampachodavaram mandal the next day.

Police have not yet responded to the allegations made in the document.

Maoists accuse informants, business networks

The press release claimed that timber merchants, furniture traders and building contractors in Vijayawada, as well as contractors working for the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) in Alluri Sitaramaraju district, acted as informants and facilitated arrests of around 50 Maoists. The group added that a committee member, Kosal, who allegedly escaped and surrendered to Telangana Police on November 9, contributed to the arrests and killings by providing information.

All claims were presented without documentary evidence in the press release.

Release disputes charges made by Devji, Manish Kunjam, Soni Sodi

The Maoist outfit strongly criticised allegations made by activist Manish Kunjam and Soni Sodi that Hidmal had been murdered by members of his own organisation. Calling those allegations a "conspiracy", the release said that Devji and Sangram were not arrested and had not shared information with the police.

Claims of coordinated operation by multiple states

The group alleged that intelligence agencies of the Centre and the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha coordinated the "operation" leading to the killings and arrests. It further alleged that the Union home minister was responsible for the strategy to "eliminate" Maoist leadership.

These claims could not be independently verified.

Further allegations on operations in Bastar

Referring to earlier incidents in Chhattisgarh, the Maoist statement criticised activist Manish Kunjam for allegedly supporting what it termed "fake encounters" in Bastar since 2024. The release cited several incidents in Maad, Todka and other parts of Bastar, alleging that villagers and Maoist cadres were killed during anti-insurgency operations.

There was no immediate response from state or central security agencies on these claims.