Bastar, June 20 -- In a significant setback to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, P Sundarraj, announced that security forces have dealt a major blow to the outfit.

On June 17, Andhra Pradesh police recovered the bodies of Central Committee member Gajarla Ravi alias Uday, committee member Aruna, and another cadre, Anju, following an operation targeting the outlawed group.

"Effective action was taken against the banned and illegal CPI Maoist organisation... In this connection, on June 17, the bodies of Central Committee member Gajarla Ravi alias Uday and committee member Aruna and another cadre Anju were recovered by the Andhra Pradesh team. This caused a big loss to the Maoist organi...