Archive · 7 Oct 2026
C-60 Founder Credits Successors After Maharashtra Maoism-Free Milestone
Maharashtra declared itself Maoism-free on October 1.
Retired police officer KP Raghuvanshi helped start a special force called C-60 in Gadchiroli.
He said local people needed to be part of the effort because they knew the area and its languages.
The force was made up of local young people.
C-60 had its first reported success in 1992.
Raghuvanshi said many officers who came after him helped the force grow.
C-60 has received more than 300 gallantry medals.
He said the milestone was something to feel proud of.
Retired IPS officer KP Raghuvanshi said Maharashtra’s Maoism-free declaration on October 1 was a milestone to cherish.
Raghuvanshi formed C-60 after becoming Gadchiroli’s superintendent of police in late 1990 and assessing the situation for four months.
The force recruited local youths to fight Maoists in the forests where they lived.
C-60 had its first success in 1992, when it killed a Dalam commander identified as Santosh.
The force has received more than 300 gallantry medals, including Shaurya Chakra and police medals.
- Who
- Retired IPS officer KP Raghuvanshi and C-60, a force he helped create.
- What
- Raghuvanshi reflected on C-60’s role in Maharashtra’s declaration that it was Maoism-free.
- When
- Maharashtra was declared Maoism-free on October 1; Raghuvanshi was posted to Gadchiroli in late 1990, and C-60 had its first success in 1992.
- Where
- Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Raghuvanshi said he created C-60 to strengthen the police effort against Maoists by recruiting local youths.
Police force’s early advantage
Maoists’ early advantage
Who held the upper hand
Police force’s early advantage
Raghuvanshi said the police are now the winners in the conflict.
Maoists’ early advantage
Raghuvanshi recalled that Maoists initially had the advantage, saying the side that fired first won.
- Declaration
- Maharashtra was declared Maoism-free on October 1; the article does not specify the year.
- Founder
- Retired IPS officer KP Raghuvanshi.
- Posting
- Raghuvanshi was transferred to Gadchiroli as Superintendent of Police in late 1990.
- Force
- C-60 was formed as a dedicated force to fight armed Maoists in Gadchiroli.
- First reported success
- C-60 killed a Dalam commander identified as Santosh in 1992.
- Awards
- C-60 has received more than 300 gallantry medals, including the Shaurya Chakra and police medals.