Inspector Laxman Kewat has taken down a number of criminals in real life as per his biography
It’s intriguing how we enjoy seeing police take down criminals in movies, yet in real life or on TV, we’re not keen on experiencing those situations ourselves. A courageous police officer named Inspector Laxman Kewat has taken down a number of criminals in real life.
Who is SHO Laxman Kewat mastermind of Kanker, Chhattisgarh encounter, biography, age, career
On Tuesday night, Laxman Kewat led a group of security forces in a fierce gunfight that resulted in the deaths of 29 Maoists. He has been serving the state police for seventeen years.
Laxman Kewat, the 38-year-old inspector ranked station house officer (SHO) of the Pakhanjur police station in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district received intelligence inputs of a large Maoist gathering near Chhotebetiya late last week and he conveyed the intelligence to the Kanker Superintendent of Police, Indira Kalyan Elsela.
38 year Inspector Laxman Kewat is known as an “encounter specialist. Despite facing threats from terrorists, he courageously fought against them and has successfully taken down 42 of them in 100 encounters.
Watch: 38-Year-Old,Laxman Kewat,SHO who played a key role in the Kanker Naxal Encounter in an conversation with CNN-News18 reveals details of the encounter.
"Appealed to maoists to surrender": Laxman Kewat @Arunima24 with latest scoop on this | @akankshaswarups pic.twitter.com/Xd0V9CAKi2
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 18, 2024
Laxman Kewat started his journey as a constable in 2007 in Surajpur district, Chhattisgarh. He was later promoted to sub-inspector in 2012 under the One Time Promotion Policy. His first posting was in Bijapur, considered one of the most sensitive districts.
Laxman Kewat mentioned that he has worked in Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, and Abujhmad areas, each with its unique geographical challenges, requiring different strategies. Currently, he is stationed in Rajnandgaon.
He emphasized the importance of ending Naxalism through development, having spent the last decade in Maoist-affected areas. He highlighted the plight of villagers caught between Maoists and law enforcement, with many former Maoists and sympathizers believing that guns alone won’t eradicate the problem.
It’s ironic that these areas lack basic amenities like roads, electricity, healthcare, and education despite government efforts, as Maoists often sabotage infrastructure. Inspected Laxman revealed that the officers evaluate the situation thoroughly because navigating 30-40 kilometres through dense forests and then returning is challenging.
They carefully plan their approach before heading out, considering factors like potential helicopter landing spots, medical support locations, and access to water. Moving a large group poses water supply challenges. Officers also anticipate risks like snake or scorpion bites while sleeping at night.
Summer brings its own set of challenges. They need to either carry water with the, or find reliable water sources along the way. However, they are supposed to be cautious because Maoists are aware of these water needs. They may target them when they anticipate a water shortage, planting bombs or ambushing security forces.
During summer, if an area lacks water, Maoists typically avoid staying there because they need water too. So, the officers focus on locations where Maoists are more likely to reside by conducting thorough searches there.
With his team, Inspector Laxman strategize based on the information and execute operations against them. During his time in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, he, along with his team, took down at least 15 Maoists in encounters. This led to Maoists targeting him for retaliation. However, once senior officers became aware of the threat to his safety and they transferred him from those areas.
P Sunderaj who is IGP of Bastar said, ‘Every commander plays a key role. But it is clear that Kewat played a crucial role on Tuesday.’