In a major counter-insurgency operation, Jharkhand police arrested Maoist commander Adesh Ganjhu along with two associates, Ujjwal Kumar and Subhash Kumar, in Latehar district on Wednesday. Ganjhu, a key member of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his head, officials said.
The police recovered illegal firearms, ammunition, and documents linked to extremist activities from the trio. Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav stated that the operation was launched based on a specific tip-off regarding Ganjhu and his armed cadres hiding in the Pakrua forest near Banwar village under Bariatu police limits.
“The group was allegedly planning a major criminal act in the region,” SP Gaurav said. A special raiding team conducted a coordinated search and cordon operation, successfully apprehending three suspects, while other cadres reportedly escaped through the dense forest under cover of darkness.
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Ganjhu has been active in Maoist operations for several years, with involvement in multiple incidents across Latehar and Chatra districts. Police records show 21 cases registered against him, including extortion, levy collection, arson, firing, and other Naxalite-related offenses.
Authorities noted that Ganjhu operated under multiple aliases, including Prabhakar, Kaushal, Upendra, and Vikram, to evade law enforcement and continue extortion activities targeting contractors, traders, and infrastructure projects in areas such as Balumath, Tandwa, Simaria, Lawalaung, Keredari, Khalari, and McCluskieganj.
Police have initiated detailed interrogation of the arrested trio to gather intelligence on the TSPC network, including hideouts, funding sources, and future operational plans. Subhash Kumar faces an additional case in Chatra, while investigations continue regarding the role of Ujjwal Kumar. Authorities emphasized that the operation is a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region.
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