Wanted Maoist Leader Misir Besra Arrested By Jharkhand Police In Major Operation
Police arrest Maoist leader with bounty.
Jharkhand Police on Tuesday arrested senior Maoist commander Misir Besra, one of the country’s most wanted insurgent leaders, in a major operation in Dhanbad district. Besra, who carried a cumulative bounty of more than Rs 1 crore, was apprehended from the Maniadih area under the jurisdiction of Barwadda police station, officials said.
The arrest is being viewed as a significant success in the state’s ongoing efforts against left-wing extremism. According to police officials, Besra was captured during a special operation conducted by security forces in the district.
A resident of Harladih village in Giridih district, he was allegedly involved in several Maoist-related cases across multiple states, including Jharkhand and Odisha. Two other Maoist members were also arrested during the operation, officials added.
Besra has been identified as a senior commander of the banned Maoist organisation and was among the key figures wanted by security agencies. Authorities had announced a substantial reward for information leading to his capture due to his alleged involvement in several violent activities and organisational operations linked to the extremist group.
The arrest came on the same day that 16 Maoists, including several senior cadres, surrendered before Jharkhand Police. The surrender of the cadres was described by officials as another major setback for the banned outfit in the state. Police said the development reflects continued pressure on Maoist networks through sustained security operations and rehabilitation initiatives.
Among those who surrendered was Santosh Mahto alias Basudev Da alias Dilip, who was wanted in 128 cases and carried a reward of Rs 15 lakh. Police said six of the surrendered Maoists together carried a combined reward of Rs 39 lakh.
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The group included two sub-zonal committee members and two area committee functionaries, indicating the presence of senior-level cadres among those who gave up arms. Security forces in Jharkhand have intensified operations against Maoist groups in recent years, focusing on dismantling organisational structures, recovering weapons and encouraging cadres to surrender. Authorities have also promoted surrender and rehabilitation policies aimed at bringing members of extremist groups back into mainstream society.
The arrest of Besra and the surrender of multiple cadres come at a time when security agencies are attempting to further reduce Maoist influence in affected regions. Officials believe that capturing senior leaders can significantly impact the operational capabilities and communication networks of insurgent organisations. Jharkhand Police said further investigation is underway to gather more details about Besra’s activities, his network and the cases registered against him.
The arrested Maoist leader is expected to face legal proceedings in connection with the various cases pending against him across different states. The operation marks a significant development in the state’s campaign against left-wing extremism.
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