The woman officer who took on the Naxalites, who created history, the unheard story of the lady leader of CRPF Last Updated: 14 Dec 2025, 15:08 IST CRPF IG NITU BHATTACHARYA: Nitu Bhattacharya in Balaghat came to the post of CRPF IG in Balaghat about 18 months ago. She said when Union Home Minister Amit Shah set the deadline to end Naxalism, they realized that it was a teamwork fight. CRPF IG NITU BHATTACHARYA: There was a shadow of red terror on Balaghat for about 35 years, which ended completely before the end of 2025. To eliminate Naxalism in Balaghat, MP Police, MP Police’s special unit Hawk Force, CRPF and other security forces have conducted more than 2350 anti-Naxal operations in the last one year. It is a joint success of all the security forces to make Balaghat Naxal free. Consequently, Deepak, being the last Naxalite, also surrendered by going to the CRPF camp in Korka village of Birsa police station area. Local 18 spoke to the security forces to whom Deepak, the last Naxalite of the district, had surrendered. Yes, there were units of different security forces for anti-Naxal operations, in which except CRPF, all men were prominent. But for the last one and a half years, there was also 1991 batch IPS officer Neetu Bhattacharya, who led the CRPF. Know what she told Local 18 … This lady officer came to Balaghat one and a half years ago Neetu Bhattacharya came to the post of CRPF IG in Balaghat about 18 months ago. She said when Union Home Minister Amit Shah set the deadline to end Naxalism, she realized that it was a teamwork fight. In such a situation, all the security forces and the states that fall in the Red Corridor must fight together. GP Singh, Director General of the CRPF, had clear instructions that the target should be achieved ahead of time. And we did it and it is a matter of pride for us. A year ago, more than 100 Naxalites were active. Local 18 asked him that a year ago there were four platoons of Naxalites, in which more than 100 Naxalites were active and they had the support of the villagers, which has changed now. He told that people used to run away after seeing the power, but now they come to us as soon as they see our vehicle and talk to us. Naxalites were not recruited for a long time. Conducted many operations in conjunction with Cobra. Now the situation has changed, I am very happy. Naxalite IG Neetu Bhattacharya reached CRPF camp, told that it was a matter of pride when the last Naxalite came to the CRPF camp and surrendered. It is also a matter of pride for our camp CO. In such a situation, she will now reach Korka camp tomorrow and celebrate with the soldiers. What was the biggest challenge was that the forests were very dense, which is different from other areas. In such a situation, special policies have been made here. Earlier, a large number of soldiers went. But after the little girl launched more operations. Youths began to be sent into these, who could stay in the forest for longer periods. Stayed active day and night and could work in dense forests. The forests here are different from other forests. In such a situation, a new strategy was made on the dying board, in which the IG of Balaghat Range was very helpful. Local 18 asked her, here are so many security forces, in which you are the only woman, how did you feel different. To this he said that everyone had achieved a goal together. But being a woman is a matter of pride for me. Hopes rose because of Sunita’s surrender. 26 months after the new surrender policy was made, Sunita surrendered for the first time in Chauriya camp. Then surrendered in the CRPF camp itself. Since then, a ray of hope has arisen and the goal has been achieved. Now Know Who IG Neetu Bhattacharya Neetu Bhattacharya is an experienced CRPF officer of 1991 batch, currently working as Sector IG in Balaghat. She has been working in Balaghat for one and a half years. He was awarded the Police Medal, Internal Security Medal and Hard Service Medal for meritorious service. Apart from this he is also a writer. He wrote Resurrection, A Woman Reborn, a collection of English poems. At the same time, he also wrote books called Half Life and My Life My Horizon. About the Author Deepti Sharma Currently working with News18MPCG (Digital), Deepti Sharma has been creating, curating and publishing impactful stories in Digital Journalism for over 6 years. Before joining News18, she worked with Re… read more Location: Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh First Published: December 14, 2025, 15:07 IST