Jharkhand Timeline 2015

Date

Incidents

January 1

Police busted an arms factory of the PLFI at Jaldega in Simdega District.

January 2

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said it was really unfortunate that even after over six decades of Independence the poor villagers were deprived of basic amenities including water, road, electricity etc. He attributed "administrative failure" as a major cause behind Naxalism and assured to provide development-oriented schemes and good governance in the State.

Two suspected Naxals, identified as Surendra Surin alias Dela and Simran Surin were killed by CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly over a dispute regarding sharing of levy at Kadamdiha in West Singhbhum District.

Security Forces in Jharkhand launched an "all-out operation" against PLFI. Though Police did not disclose the details, they said "Operation Karo II" will continue throughout January, 2015.

In September 2014 the State Police had launched 'Operation Karo-I' in which 50 PLFI rebels were arrested while two were killed in Simdega District. "In the two-month long operation over six encounters with the PLFI took place and huge cache of arms was recovered," said a Police officer.

The chief of JPC, identified as Guddu Ganjhu (50), was killed at Birhu village under Simaria Police Station limits in Chatra District. Police suspect one of his aides killed him out of a power struggle within JPC to take over the extremist outfit.

Three suspected CPI-Maoist cadres were killed during a three hour long encounter with SFs at Bukar village under Chauparan Police Station area in Hazaribag District.

An 'area commander' of the PLFI identified as Sonaram Sundi was arrested from Badlagya village in West Singhbhum District.

Jharkhand stands to get road and bridge infrastructure worth INR 6.4 billion from the Centre's Road Requirement Plan (RRP), an ambitious strategy to combat Naxalism- by linking remote areas that serve as LWE hideouts.

The Bokaro Police and the 26th battalion of the CRPF recovered a powerful cane-bomb planted on a railway track under the Gomia Police Station of the District. The cane-bomb was detected and defused by an anti-bomb squad.

A self-styled 'area commander' of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee-2 and one of his close aides were arrested from Barkakhad village under Chainpur Police Station limits of Palamau District.

Jharkhand Police arrested two PLFI cadres from Rangamati village under Muffasil Police Station in West Singhbhum District.

Indicating a tough stance of the newly-installed government in Jharkhand when it comes to tackling LWE, Chief Secretary Sajal Chakarabarty said that the fight against LWE is like war and promised to end all LWE activities in three months' time. He was speaking at a press conference organised at the Police Headquarters in Ranchi. He said "There is no time to surrender now. That train has left the station. If you want to get in, run and try." "In three months, there will be no active Naxal activity here. For me, the best Naxalite is a dead Naxalite," he added.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said his Government will "rise to the challenge" posed by insurgents and "decimate extremism and CPI-Maoist violence in the state within six months".

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Joru, was killed during an encounter with SFs in Ghatsila Sub-Division of East Singhbhum District. A Police officer who is the bodyguard of ASP was also injured. A pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from his possession.

The Maoists called for a bandh in Jharkhand and Bihar in protest against the death of its cadres who were killed during an encounter in Hazaribagh District on January 12. The shutdown had an impact in Latehar District where no public transport or heavy vehicles were seen plying on National Highway 75 and 99.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres have killed two persons, including a SPO, near Bundu in Ranchi District. "One of them was a SPO," Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumar said.

Police Constable, Dukhiya Murmu (30), who was critically injured in an encounter with the Naxals at Musabani in East Singhbhum District on January 18 succumbed to his injury at the Tata Main Hospital.

CPI-Maoist-hit Khunti District was inspected by DGP, Rajeev Kumar along with his officials. Anti-Maoist operation has been continuing in the District for the last couple of days. He also decided to sharpen anti-Maoist operation in other Districts of Jharkhand.

SFs arrested a CPI-Maoist 'zonal commander' identified as Madan Rai in Giridih District. A country-made pistol and live cartridges were also seized from his possession.

Three armed extremists, reportedly belonging to PLFI barged into Kurumkela upgraded middle school under Kurdeg Police Station in Simdega District on the Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border and tried to abduct a school teacher at gunpoint, creating panic among students on the campus.

CPI-Maoist killed an 18-year-old girl at a village in Khunti District. Police said the body of Birsi Kumari (18) was found by neighbours with two bullet wounds on January 24 at Kitahatu village. Local residents said the girl paid with her life for being a Police informer, but the Police deny the claim.

Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmed urged the CPI-Maoist cadres to shun violence, join the mainstream and help the State move forward on the path of development, which has been elusive for 14 years since it was bifurcated from Bihar. In his Republic Day address at the historic Morhabadi field Governor Ahmed said "Left Wing Extremism is a big challenge for both the State and the country. The State Government has put tough measures in place to deal with the extremists, besides working for development in the Red-hit areas. People who have deviated from the mainstream should now realize that war is not a solution."

A CPI-Maoist self-styled 'zonal commander' was arrested in Garhwa District of Jharkhand. SP Sudhir Kumar Jha said that the Maoist, identified as Jagdish Budhayadav, was arrested from Kulhi village under Bandharia Police Station limits following a tip-off. A country-made pistol, four bullets and INR 1.34 lakh cash were recovered from his possession.

Acting on a tip-off, Police arrested a Naxal 'commander', identified as Prakash Kerketta alias Arvind - in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The LWE was involved in at least 15 cases including murder and extortion. He had launched a separate outfit named Jharkhand Gram Raksha Dal. A country made carbine, gun, bullets and motorcycle were also recovered from him.

A CPI-Maoist, cadre identified as Sunil Ganju who was arrested under POTA in 2004, was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by a Special Court in Ranchi of Jharkhand.

A senior cadre of the CPI-Maoist regional military commission identified as Jairam alias Nagender alias Arun alias Mochhu and his accomplice Bhupender Yadav were arrested at Manandohar in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Police recovered one eight round revolver from the possession of Jairam.

The decomposed body of a 'sub-zonal commander' of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, who was killed by a young member of the rebel outfit on the night of January 16, was recovered from Sauka forest in Itki, around 25km from Ranchi District headquarters of Jharkhand. Bikas Oraon (18) had crushed Samdhad aka Maulvi, to death with a stone in his sleep because the PLFI leader was not willing to let him go so that he could appear for his matriculation examination. Police came to know this after arresting Bikas, a resident of Gadri village in Bero who joined the PLFI some three months ago. They found four fire weapons and 68 live cartridges from his possession.

CRPF DG Prakash Mishra said the red zone [Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)-infested region] is steadily shrinking in Bihar and Jharkhand. It has been possible because the CRPF personnel are not only carrying out operations against Maoists but also helping the common man in many other ways, like distributing essentials such as woolen clothes, utensils etc and enabling them to get their Aadhaar cards.

Jharkhand Governor Dr Syed Ahmed said that the problem of Naxalism can be easily curbed with development of the State. Holding a high level meeting with State Government officials at Raj Bhawan in Ranchi, ahead of the Governors' meeting chaired by President of India on February 11-12, the Governor asked the officials to take on the Naxal problem as a challenge and work for development of the State.

SF personnel detected and defused a powerful can-bomb in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off, the SFs comprising CRPF personnel and District Police Force, detected the bomb on Tiriposi-Bitkilsoya road while on patrol, SP, N K Singh said.

Some hand written threatening posters of the CPI-Maoist appeared in parts of Chhatarpur in Palamu District.

A 'platoon commander' of the CPI-Maoist was arrested from Jolbigha under Pratappur Police Station area of Chatra District. The Maoist has been identified as Mahendra Yadav. A country made pistol, four live cartridges, four mobile phones, various sim-cards and INR 6,5000 in cash along with Maoist literature have been recovered from his possession. SP Surendra Kumar Jha said that Yadav was arrested during a joint raid conducted by the district police, CRPF personnel and troopers of the CoBRA Battalion. The Maoist is also the mastermind of the 'technical cell' of the Maoists, the SP said.

Eighteen can bombs, each weighing between 15 to 20 kilograms, suspected to be planted by the CPI-Maoist underneath a kaccha road have been recovered in Khunti District.

Khunti District Police force arrested one ultra belonging to the PLFI from Karra Police Station in Khunti District.

In a security review meeting chaired by chief secretary Rajiv Gauba at the CRPF headquarters, he intimated officers of the Government's plan to wipe out CPI-Maoist within six months. To ensure the same, development and security measures would soon be undertaken in rebel-hit areas, he said.

A CPI-Maoist 'area commander', identified as Navin alias Upendra Paswan and two of his accomplices, Kanda Vishwakarma and Lofar Chaki, were arrested by SFs from Porahat forest under West Singhbhum District. Paswan was the 'area commander' of Chatarapur in Palamau District. Two pistols, some live cartridges and a vehicle were seized from them.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Anil Singh, surrendered before the DGP Rajeev Kumar at a function in Rania of Khunti District. He also deposited a carbine and a rifle before DGP Kumar.

DGP Rajeev Kumar has said that the State Police will recruitment 10,000 Policemen and officers to further enhance the Policing in Jharkhand.

The Dumka District Administration and Police destroyed poppy crop planted over a stretch of 150 acres in CPI-Maoist-affected villages under Shikaripara Police Station limits of the District. Acting on a tip off, SP Anup T Mathew and SDO Sudhir Kumar along with Police force destroyed poppy crop planted illegally in Hirapur and Dhobaghati village of the District.

Train services in the Gomoh-Gaya section of the East Central Railway were disrupted as suspected CPI-Maoist cadres blew up railway tracks during the Jharkhand bandh called by them to protest the amendment in Land Acquisition Act. The track was blown up on the Jamunia river bridge between Gomoh-Telo stations under Dhanbad division of East Central Railway.

The bandh had a mixed response in the mineral-rich Kolhan region comprised of East and West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan Districts. While shops and market in Maoist-stronghold areas were closed, road traffic was also thin, Police said.

The CPI-Maoist called for a bandh in five states, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, on February 20 to protest the anti-people's activities of the State and Central governments. In a press release, the Maoists' Central Regional Bureau 'spokesperson' Pratap accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao as well as the CMs of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra of implementing destructive and anti-people policies. He said the bandh would be observed for 24 hours but emergency services would be exempted.

CRPF organised a health camp in Maoist affected villages of Latehar District. CRPF personnel, as a part of civic action programme, distributed free medicines and utensils to the poor.

Palamu District Police have confirmed the arrest of a hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, who was allegedly involved in several anti-government operations. A joint operation was launched by the State Police and CRPF to arrest him. "We have arrested an active Maoist named Nanhuram alias Panchua. He is accused of landmine blast on the car of Additional Superintendent of Police, Ronald Hansda, and firing on him in 2012. He was absconding since then," said Palamu District SP Mayur Patel.

TPC cadres shot dead one of their colleagues identified as Pradip Mehta in Pipra village of Palamau District. A group of TPC cadres arrived in a village and dragged Mehta out of his house before shooting him dead near his house, SP, Mayur Patel said. A Police team went to the area and recovered the body on February 18, he said.

Security personnel recovered four landmines from Kelkargarh-Dwarika Road in Palamau District of Jharkhand. The recovery was made when the district police force and Jaguar personnel were on a poppy-destroying campaign in the area, SP Mayur Patel said. The security personnel stumbled upon an exposed wire during their operation and launched a search in the vicinity, he said, adding that they spotted four landmines including three connected in a series.

A Maoist identified as Gura Nag alias DK who was among a group of 15 prisoners to have escaped from outside Chaibasa Divisional Jail on December 9, 2014 surrendered before West Singhbhum Police of Jharkhand.

Two persons allegedly carrying cash to hand over to the PLFI were arrested in Khunti District of Jharkhand, a senior Police officer said. Police have arrested Tinku Kumar and Manoj Lugun when they were on their way on a motorcycle to handed over the money collected as levy to the PLFI sub-zonal 'Commander' Jidan Gudia, Superintendent of Police, Anis Gupta said. The arrest was made on Ranchi-Khunti road under Khunti police station in Maoist-hit Khunti district, he said. The Police also seized INR 1.562 million allegedly collected as levy, he said adding it was yet to be ascertained from whom the money was collected.

Jharkhand Police have asked for a contingent of 5,000 CRPF personnel to help them destroy 12 Maoist camps across the State. Most of the 12 camps are mostly situated in forested hills, which the forces consider impregnable and do not dare to venture into.

Police detained a suspect after finding over 35 bombs, 500 detonators, around one dozen bombs (some semi-prepared), one laptop, two hard discs, and several CPI-Maoist utility items after an encounter at Latehar-Gumla District borders. However, almost 100 Maoists including central committee member Arvindji, managed to escape during the encounter. Around 100 Maoists were crossing from Latehar to West Singhbhum's Saranda forest via Gumla when SF personnel engaged them in an encounter. "The encounter continued for hours from midnight after which the Maoists escaped leaving behind a huge quantity of materials," said a Police officer.

Security Force personnel recovered explosives planted under a culvert near Penk-Kanchkiro within the Nawadih Police Station limits in Bokaro District of Jharkhand, a senior police officer said. The recovery was made when the security personnel were on an anti-naxal operation in the Maoist-stronghold area, Superintendent of Police, A Vijayalaxmi said. She said the security personnel spotted a 10 kg can-bomb planted under a culvert, which was recovered and defused.

A CRPF team discovered a large amount of explosives and ammunition near a village situated in Jhumra of Gomia block in Bokaro District. Although Maoists seem to have deserted Jhumra, their arms and ammunition are still being recovered from different spots across the jungles by a CRPF 26 battalion team, headed by commandant, Sanjay Kumar. The search team, while scouring the jungle, discovered a steel trunk containing explosives and weapons, after being tipped off about the Maoist hideout.

A CPI-Maoist supporter and supplier of explosives, identified as Karamdayal Munda, was arrested by Lohardaga Police. SP Manoj Ratan Chothe has said "Under the leadership of SDPO AS Rijwi and police force, CRPF, a search operation was conducted on Sunday. Police arrested Karamdayal Munda, the Maoist supporter and the supplier of explosives who was in Badi village of Senha block." During interrogation, the supplier told the Police that he had kept some explosives near a Anganbadi centre. Police found 175 pieces of detonators, 25 metre cortex wire, a pressure cooker and 34 pieces of large sized canes. The SP added "Munda used to supply explosives to the Maoists for a long time especially to Madan and Nakul Yadav. During election hours he supplied them rice and eatables."

Jharkhand Police recovered cache of arms and ammunition from Murpa forest under Mahuatand Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Acting on a tip off, the District Police launched a massive search operation and recovered two SLR, three Masket Rifles, one 3.9 bore rifle, three 303 bore rifle, 400 live cartridges including 362 live cartridges of 7.6 bore, a flash light, wires, mobiles phone and Maoist literature, SP, A Vijayalaxmi said.

SFs stumbled upon and recovered a powerful can-bomb in Murhu-Arki border in Khunti District. The recovery was made when the SFs comprising of Khunti District Police and 60 Battalion of CRPF from adjoining West Singhbhum District stumbled upon an open wire, District SP Anish Gupta said. The explosive weighed 50 kg. The bomb was suspected to have been planted by PLFI - a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Intelligence inputs coming from CRPF and IB have suggested that the growing alienation among tribal population in various CPI-Maoist strongholds in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and parts of Bihar and Maharashtra has forced CPI-Maoist to order a study of socioeconomic impact of the central development schemes. The study has been ordered by the Eastern Regional Bureau of CPI-Maoist that supervises Maoist activities in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and North Chhattisgarh, sources said. The ERB has asked various state committees to undertake detailed study in villages and circulated a 19 column detailed pro-forma to be duly filled up by the surveyors. "The CPI (Maoist) has noted that if it has to spread and further revolution in the agrarian areas, it has to review its tactics in the light of socio-political and economic impact of the development schemes that have been there in the rural and tribal areas for the last two decades," said sources.

In their internal communications, the Maoist's have blamed these programmes for weaning away village level activists as they got involved in various contractual works associated with these schemes. Besides initiatives like Rs. 2 per kg rice for poor and Saranda action plan succeeded in misguiding some of its active cadres and sowed seeds of discord among them, the intelligence inputs note. The confiscated documents also suggest that some Maoist leaders lament the lack of maturity on part of some of its senior leadership for being unaware of changing ground realities and need for a comprehensive survey from a Marxist perspective.

Kuldip Yadav, 'area commander' of the TPC was killed by the Maoists in Palamu District. The body of Yadav was found near Dobatiya More on NH 98 under Harihurganj Police Station. Kuldip was abducted by the Maoists from Koolhaiya Village on March 7, when he had gone to his maternal uncle's village. Chhaterpur DSP Sameer Tirkey confirmed the killing of the TPC 'area commander' by the Maoists. The DSP also confirmed the recovery of hand written letter by the Maoists at the spot claiming responsibility for gunning down the 'commander', saying he was shot dead to avenge the killing of 11 Naxalite cadres namely Jaiker, Praful, Prayas, Jitender, Albert, Danish, Tapos, Niraj, Ramesh, Hansraj and Baleshwar, at Lakarbandha in Chatra District on March 27-28, 2013.

CPI-Maoist perpetrated violence has declined in the country from 1,000 killings during 2008, 2009 and 2010 to about 300-odd now, K. Vijay Kumar, Special Security Adviser, the UMHA, said in VIT University in Vellore. "This is a sign that two-third violence has come down. But that does not mean that they (Maoists) are incapable of causing hiccups and giving surprises," he said. He further said there were two to three Maoist-affected States that were being concentrated upon. "Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand contribute about 30 per cent each that is two-third in the country. The Governments are trying to tighten efforts here," he pointed out.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a site of Dhibra mica mines under Lokaynayanpur Police Station limits of Giridih District and killed the manager, identified as Shyam Rout (35), and injured his aide and thrashed all the 10 labourers. "They torched two vehicles and warned them of more attacks if they do not stop the work. It appears that the Maoists had sought levy from the contractor. An investigation has been launched into the case," DSP headquarters Vijay Ashish Kujur said.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and four others were injured during an encounter with SFs at Sargaon village in Gumla District. Unconfirmed reports, however, said four more Maoists were killed but Police did not confirm the report. ASP, operations, Pawan Kumar Singh, and SDPO Mohammad Arshi led two teams of forces to Sargaon village in Chainpur near Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh border after Police got information that top Maoist leader Deokumar Singh alias Arvindji was holding a meeting with his core team in the hills. "Maoists started firing at our team when they approached the hills. Our forces launched a far stronger retaliatory fire which killed one and injured at least four of them," said CRPF IG RK Mishra. "We have seized one rifle, a hand grenade, 150 live cartridges, huge quantity of food grain and several utensils from the Maoist camp," said Lohardaga SP Manoj Ratan, who is in-charge of Gumla.

Jharkhand Jaguar troopers and CRPF personnel busted two artificial bunkers of Maoists on Jhumra Hill in Gomia block of Bokaro District. Jharkhand Police seized grenades, live cartridges, can bombs and other items hidden by the Maoist in the forest. Commenting on the matter, Bokaro SP A. Vijaylaxmi said they launched a search operation following intelligence inputs about movement of a Maoist squad headed by its leader, Santosh Mahto. "We have recovered two hand grenades, 10 kilograms cane bomb, live cartridges of AK-47 and Insas rifles besides naxal literature," said Vijaylaxmi.

One PLFI cadre, identified as Janeshwar Gope, surrendered before Khunti District Police. Gope was wanted in more than eight cases including cases of murder and kidnapping.

A PLFI cadre, identified as Imanuel Hembrom, was arrested in Simdega District. The Police found two rifles and six bullets from his possession.

Three Naxal were arrested from Saomarangbeda village under Arki Police Station limits in Khunti District. SP Anish Gupta said security personnel consisting of CRPF and District Armed Police were on an anti-LWE 'Operation Kaaro' in the District when they arrested the trio. The three have been identified as Sohrai Munda, who was carrying a reward of INR 200000 on his head, Vinoo Munda and Dasai Munda, the SP said. A rifle, six cartridges and LWE literatures were seized from their possession.

A senior CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Yogendra Mishra, a 'sub-zonal commander', was arrested when he was going back to the forest after getting treatment of his leg in Lohardaga District. SP Manoj Ratan said he was arrested in the forest under Kisko Police Station of the District.

Acting on a tip-off, the SFs recovered a powerful can-bomb from Saranda forest area in West Singhbhum District. The SFs comprising CRPF and District Armed Police Force launched a massive search operation in a village near Karampada and spotted the can-bomb planted underneath a kucha road, said SP Michael S Raj. The SP said the explosive weighed 30 kg and was planted to target the security personnel.

Eight miscreants including four cadres of TPC were arrested from Ghato area of Ramgarh District. SP M Tamilvanan said the arrested TPC cadres were allegedly involved in the attack on Tata Steel's West Bokaro colliery site on the intervening night of March 16-17. Five mobile phones and two motorcycles have been seized from them, Tamilvanan said.

The cadres of the PLFI set ablaze two construction machines in the middle of the night in Latehar District. The machines were being used by the local administration to construct a new road. "This whole incident has been attributed to the PLFI. They had demanded levy. We got information that around seven-eight members had burnt down two machines which were being used to make the roads. We have also recovered a letter in which the PLFI has claimed responsibility," said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Latehar, Roshan Gudia.

Three members of a family, identified as Balkishore Shahdeo, Jal Kishore Shahdeo and Pramod, have been killed allegedly by the CPI-Maoist cadres at Murmu village in Lohardaga District. The family was on a hunting trip when they were kidnapped from Sahedpat village. Their bodies were found early on March 22 morning near Marayan forest under the Jowang Police Station limits. Maoist sources claimed they were killed because they were police informers. "The Shahdeos resisted Left-Wing Extremists since they entered the area in 1991," said Lohardaga SP Manoj Ratan Chothe. The Shahdeos were landowners and of royal lineage, which made them a target for the Maoists.

Three cadres belonging to TPC including 'sub-zonal commander' Karanji alias Rakesh Kumar Chandrawansi, were arrested in Chatra District. One pistol, five live cartridges, two mobile phones and two SIM cards were found in their possession.

Police arrested two Maoists in raids conducted at two different places in Gomia and Petarwar blocks in Bokaro District. Police have also recovered INR 60,000 cash from the possession of one, which is most likely levy money collected by him from the people of the area. SP A Vijaylaxmi said Police first arrested Rati Ram Manjhi, a resident of Mahuataad area of Gomia, when he had gone to collect levy from businessmen in Petarwar. Later, Police jointly with CRPF arrested another Maoist identified as Tulsi Marandi from Mahuataad area in the District.

Police arrested one of the top CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as David Marandi from Amrapara Police Station area of Pakur District. Marandi, a native of Junju Village, under Gopikandar Police Station of neighbouring Dumka District of Jharkhand has been involved in four cases including the killing of Sister Valsa, a Christian nun, who was involved in anti-displacement movement against Panem coal mining company and was brutally killed at Pachuara village in November 2012. Pakur SP Anup Birthary said, "David Marandi has been one of the active members of the armed squad of the CPI-Maoist active in Pakur and other parts of Santhal Pargana who used to provide strategic support to rebels."

The State cabinet recommended a steep hike in compensation to Maoists who will surrender in Jharkhand. Members of CPI-Maoist politburo, special area committee and regional bureau would now get a whopping INR 2.5 million when they surrender, INR 1.3 million more than the Rs 1.2 million that the cabinet had recommended last week. The cabinet revised compensation for CPI-Maoist regional committee members for surrender as well. Earlier, it had recommended INR 700,000 for regional committee member, now they will get INR 1.5 million. Zonal committee members would now get INR 1 million while members of sub-zonal committee will get INR 500,000, cabinet secretary N N Pandey announced on March 24.

Two sympathisers of the PLFI were hacked to death by suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist in Sonua Police Station area in West Singhbhum District. A group of 15 armed Maoists dragged the victims, identified as Lakhan Bala (27) and Jaimati Borja (29), out of their houses in Gurdri village around 10pm and latter killed them on a village road. West Singhbhum SP Michael Raj said, "The place of occurrence is located in a dense jungle. So, we are yet to get a detailed report on the murders," he said. The SP added Maoist pamphlets were found at the scene of murders, which suggested involvement of Maoists.

Bokaro District Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Rati Ram Manjhi, when he had gone to collect levy from a businessmen in Petarwar area of the District. Sources said that acting on a tip-off, a Police team headed by DSP Bermo Manoj Rai raided Petarwar area and arrested Manjhi. Police personnel found INR 60,000 cash from his possession.

Bokaro District Police arrested another Maoist, identified as Tulsi Marandi, at Mahuataad area under Gomia block in Bokaro District.

Three TPC cadres, including a 'sub-zonal commander' identified as Karanji alias Rakesh Kumar Chandrawansi were arrested in Chatra District. One pistol, five live cartridges, two mobile phones and two SIM cards were found from their possession. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

A day after the cabinet's decision to increase compensation to Maoists who surrender, Bimal Gudia alias Pandey Gudia alias Tibu Gudia, a CPI-Maoist cadre, surrendered at State Police Headquarters in Ranchi. Gudia has been a member of the South Chhotanagpur zonal committee's 'secretary' Anmol Da's squad and was also part of the 2014 Chiabasa jail break. Gudia said he surrendered because of exploitation among the Maoists.

Two men attacked three employees of Shivam Road and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd at Machadiha in Ghatshila in East Singhbhum District. The armed men, who came on a tractor around 1.30 am, first fired at Bapi (27), a driver posted at the camp-office. Then, the duo barged into the camp and shot at Anjani Ilu (37), the manager of the company, and attacked Mukesh Kumar (40), a supervisor, with an iron rod. While Bapi sustained the injury in his left arm, Ilu took the bullet in his chest. Mukesh sustained serious head injuries.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed, while a woman cadre was injured during an encounter with the SFs near the jungles under Sadar Police Station in Latehar District. The woman cadre was arrested and admitted to a hospital, SP Ajay Linda said. The bodies of the two dead Maoists were recovered from the spot, he said.

Jharkhand Police have decided to provide free medical treatment to CPI-Maoist cadres injured in encounters with SFs and are calling the new initiative 'Operation Nai Disha'. DGP DK Pandey said that Police and paramilitary forces involved in anti-Maoist operations have been instructed to take care of injured Maoists. A dedicated team should be there who will make medical arrangements. "They are our own people but someone has misguided them. I hope the humanitarian gesture will have an impact on them (the Maoists) and help them reform," Inspector General of Police (IG), Human Rights, MS Bhatia said. Lalmuni Kumari, the woman Maoist cadre who was injured in March 28 encounter, was shifted to Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). Instead of going by road, the Police decided to use a chopper to save time, the DGP said.

Police identified the two Maoists who were killed in an encounter in Latehar District. Latehar SP Ajay Linda said one was 'sub-zonal commander' Sakindra Yadav alias Tufan and his aide Balkeshwar Oraon.

The Home Department, under Chief Minister Raghubar Das, has directed Police to create a network of SITs under Jharkhand Jaguar, to fast-track and streamline the probe of Naxal LWE-related incidents so that they stand in a court of law. The 12 SITs will be in place by May 2015, said an internal Police communiqué. State DGP DK Pandey and ADG, Operations, Anil Palta will centrally monitor the District/range SITs at Ranchi Headquarters. Till February 2015, as many as 1,223 Naxal-related cases are under investigations across 24 districts. Coupled with this, Home Department sources are also dissatisfied with the low rate of convictions, an outcome of a vicious cycle of an overburdened Police force failing to file watertight cases. The internal Police communiqué, extensively quotes from the Home Department's observations in writing, including "work pressure at the field level" led to inadequate attention paid to rebel-related cases. "Chargesheets filed often don't stand scrutiny in courts even if culprits are apprehended. They are released from jail and they rejoin ranks of extremists which is wastage of precious resources of the government," the document reads. This observation holds true as only a few day ago, a Special Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) court in Ranchi had given the benefit of doubt to jailed Maoist Sunil Ganjhu, an accused in an attack on a convoy of JD(U) leader Gautam Sagar Rana. In its communication to Police, the Home Department had strongly castigated the "little or no attention" paid to initiating action under Prevention of Money Laundering Act and other central and state acts, chasing the money trail and finding out sources of weapons and explosives and activities with interstate ramifications. Now, each SIT will conduct in-depth investigations of LWE-related cases using forensic and scientific tools of investigation. They will look into the attachment of property of the accused, the proceeds from extortion, detection of the money trail, recovered arms and ammunition as well as explosives. In Ranchi alone, there are 52 pending LWE cases till February, 2015. The situation worsens in the interiors. Palamau reports an astounding 112 pending cases, Garhwa 56, Latehar 89, Chaibasa 101, Khunti 140 and Chatra. Gumla, Simdega and Lohardaga together have 183 pending cases. Hazaribagh, Koderma, Ramgarh and Giridih together have 215 pending cases. Bokaro, Dhanbad and Railway Dhanbad has 72 unsolved cases.

Bus owners in Jharkhand have suspended their operations in the wake of assaults and extortions by Maoist cadres. Maoists have been regularly extorting money from bus drivers in several Districts of the State with authorities failing to take any action.

CPI-Maoist cadres are "trafficking" children from Districts like Latehar, Gumla and Lohardaga of Jharkhand and forcing them to join the outfit. The Police based their inference on statements given by injured Maoist cadre Lalmuni Kumari, who is being treated at RIMS, Ranchi.

A JPC cadre was killed and two more cadres were injured in an encounter with rival TPC at Panki village in Palamu District of Jharkhand. Jharkhand Police spokesperson Anurag Gupta said Police have found the extremist's body and launched a search operation for the injured. JPC and TPC are splinter groups of the CPI-Maoist.

A hardcore arrested CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Jamesh Murmu, was referred to the RIMS in Ranchi when he consumed something soon after being produced in a court in Dumka District of Jharkhand, a Central Jail official said. Murmu, who was booked under various sections of IPC including murder and was incarcerated in the Dumka Central Jail since August 2011, was taken for production in the court of District Judge Virendra Pratap Singh.

A CPI-Maoist 'zonal commander' was lynched by villagers near Rongo Village under Manoharpur Police Station in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. SP Michael Raj S said the lynched Maoist, identified as Johnson Ganju, was a resident of Hazaribagh but had been operating in Saranda forest of the District for long. Ganju allegedly went to meet his lady love in Rongo village when the villagers, angry with his extortion and other misdeeds, surrounded him and beat him to death with stones and bows and arrow, he said. A country-made pistol, two live cartridges, one empty cartridge and three mobile phones were recovered from his possession.

JSJMM, a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist, set ablaze two coal-loaded trucks and damaged another at a railway siding near Tori station in Latehar District of Jharkhand. The rebels opened fire at the approaching Police personnel from Chandwa Police Station, who arrived at the spot. But, the rebels retreated as the Policemen retaliated. No casualty was reported from any side. However, before leaving the spot, the rebels left behind a handbill, asking officials of Balaji Transport to heed to their demands.

Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, Suresh Oraon alias Suryash, from near his residence located in Ambajhariya in Angara area in the outskirts of Ranchi District of Jharkhand. The arrested militant was wanted in two cases including the murder of a Police informer.

Nicholas Pahan (30), an area commander of PLFI, a breakaway faction of CPI Maoist, was killed in an encounter with security forces at Kunjla village under Murhu Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. Pahan was in-charge of PLFI activities in Murhu, Torpa and Khunti blocks from where he collected levies from contractors to fund the outfit's war against the State. Police also arrested one of the extremists who laid down arms during the gun-battle. A Police search party found four pistols and a huge cache of live cartridges at the site later.

Two CPI Maoist cadres, identified as Paw Pahan and Jogar Munda, were arrested by SF personnel during a search operation in the Sigma village under Arki Police Station in Khunti District of Jharkhand. One country-made pistol and nine live cartridges were recovered from their possession.

District Police arrested a 19-year-old CPI-Maoist leader, Manoratnam Soren alias Tunna Soren, after conducting a raid near Koyataad Railway Crossing of Dumri Vihar, under Gomia Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. He used to work as a messenger for top leaders of the outfit across states. Police found Maoist literature and INR 18,300 cash from his possession. The cash recovered from him was collected as levy from the people of the area. SP Bokaro, A Vijaylaxmi said that Soren was a big catch as he was involved in many Maoist incidents in Gola, Hazaribagh, Parasnath and Jamui. Soren has high contacts with the Maoists who are active in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and other regions. He is closed to top Maoist leader, Ganapathi and other leaders. Sources said that Soren is also a member of technical cell of the outfit. He was carrying a confidential letter sent by Maoist 'commanders' Anal Da and Kishan Da of Luggu Hill for Maoist leader Karan Da in Saranda, when the Police caught him.

Exchange of fire took place between Police and CPI-Maoist cadres in Chelwa forest area, situated at the border of Katkamsandi and Katkamdag blocks of Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. Officially, Hazaribagh Police is not saying anything yet but according to sources, they have seized a fire weapon and some pithoos from the encounter site and interrogation is going on of a suspect whom they have brought with them from the forest.

Police and JPC, a breakaway faction of the CPI-Maoist, exchanged gunfire for several hours in the forests of Amjora in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. Following a tip-off regarding the presence of around 30 JPC ultras at a particular spot a Police team moved to forest. Upon arrival of the Police at the forest, the ultras opened fire on them, triggering a gun battle in which more than 150 rounds were fired between both the parties. However, no casualties were reported from the either side. The rebels retreated deep into the forest leaving behind 'uniforms', medicines and diaries containing names of local contractors who were to be targeted for extortion.

Jharkhand Police produced senior Maoist leader, Shiv Prasad Singh alias Rohitji alias Ritlal alias Pawanji before media after he was arrested from Patratu under Pithoria Police Station (Ranchi District). Rohitji, known to be a member of BJSAC since formation of CPI-Maoist in 2004 carries a reward of INR 2.5 million in Jharkhand whereas he is also learnt to be in the most wanted list of Bihar Police with a separate cash reward of INR 1 million in his name.

A 30-year-old man was found bludgeoned to death at Machh Bhandar in Ghatshila subdivision of East Singhbhum District of Jharkhand triggering suspicion that the murder might be a handiwork of CPI-Maoist. The victim is yet to be identified. The body was lying near an under-construction canal over Subarnarekha River in the Ghurabandha Police Station area. Boulders used to bludgeon him were also found near the murder spot along with some Maoist posters calling for a hike in wages of kendu leaves collectors. However, Police cannot be sure of the rebel hand as of now, as the posters can be old.

Police arrested Rijus Ekka alias Khakha, a member of the CPI-Maoist area committee, from Bagicha Toli in Tupudana in Jagannathpur on the outskirts of Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Khakha was wanted in several Maoist-related cases. Banned Naxalite literatures, one mobile phone and two SIM cards were recovered from his possession.

Protesting over the arrest of SAC member Shiv Prasad Singh alias Rohit ji in Jharkhand and ten others from different parts of Bihar during the last one week, CPI-Maoist have given a call for Bihar and Jharkhand bandh from April 26.

Two powerful can bombs were recovered from Goelkera Police Station area of West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand, fuelling suspicion that CPI-Maoist might have planted the explosives to cause damages to SF personnel during their six-day Jharkhand bandh from April 26. The bombs, weighing around 25kg each, were found buried beneath the ground at Pandwa village along a path frequently used by Police and Paramilitary Forces. Beside the can bombs, Police found six mortars, cartridges of 303 rifles and 9mm pistols, empty cartridges, medicines, accounts books, Naxalite literature and haversacks from under the earth.

Hazaribagh Police arrested Asha Kiran, women 'wing commander' of the CPI-Maoist from the jungle of Aulaunja village of Katkamsandi block of Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand. Police also arrested a local doctor who was treating her. After the arrest, the Police admitted her to sadar hospital in Hazaribagh. Asha is accused in 20 cases in Hazaribagh, Chatra, Gaya and Bokaro District since 2006.

Around 70 to 80 armed CPI-Maoist cadres stormed into Pasiya village under Chak panchayat in Manatu block in Palamu District of Jharkhand and set ablaze the equipment of a cell phone tower. The Maoists also set ablaze a tractor-cum-trolley and assaulted the driver of the tractor Dineshwar Ram.

The five day (April 26 - 30) Naxal bandh evoked an effective response in Kolhan Division (East Singhbhum, Seraikella-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum) Districts of Jharkhand on its second day. The Paramilitary Forces had removed the posters during patrolling the area. Shops and business establishments were closed in Ghatshila and other townships under Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum District since the morning. The bandh was also effective in Chaibasa, Chakradharpur. Barring Ghatshila and its periphery the three Districts of the division namely East and West Singhbhum and Seraikella-Kharsawan remained incident free.

A cadre of the PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested from his house at McCluskieganj in Hutap in Khelari block in Ranchi District. SP (rural) Raj Kumar Lakra said acting on a tip-off, they arrested Shyam Lohra (35) with a country made pistol and eight rounds of ammunition from Hutap. Active in Khelari and McCluskieganj, Lohra, who worked for top PLFI leaders Varun and Kargil, was wanted in five cases.

Armed cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze six dumpers engaged in construction of a 30km village road at Churchu block in Hazaribagh District, causing a loss of over INR 10 million. Sources said that Maoists had been demanding levy from officials of Bhardwaj Constructions for the past six months.

Two PLFI cadres, identified as Birsa Munda and Durgal Hasa alias Tiring, were arrested by Police from Dandih village in Khunti District. A country-made SLR rifle and four rounds of ammunition were recovered from their possession. PLFI is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

The cadres of CPI-Maoist blew up a bridge on Dhordhorwa river situated in Bedam panchayat of Churchu block in Hazaribagh District. A group of Maoists reached Julmi village and started searching some villagers, who according to them were 'police informers'. When they failed to do so, they set ablaze two houses in that village. After coming out of the village, they stayed near the bridge over Dhordhorwa river.

A top CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kunwar Yadav alias Waseerji, 40, member of the CPI-Maoist's East Bihar North Jharkhand Simant Regional Committee, carrying INR 1.5 million cash reward on his head, was arrested from Bathuakura village under Bhelwaghati Police Station limits in Giridih District. The SFs raided the village on intelligence inputs.

A couple, identified as Deepeshwar Mehta and Dhaneshwari Devi, allegedly involved in illegal trade and supply of explosives to CPI-Maoist, were killed in an explosion under Padma Police Station area in Hazaribagh District. The explosion was so strong that the two were blown into pieces. The incident took place when they were carrying explosives and other inflammable items into the forest for the Maoists.

A CoBRA personnel, identified as AK Tripathy, sustained injuries in an encounter between security personnel and Maoists in Riarda forest under Arki Police Station of Khunti District. The encounter began in the morning and was reported to be on as the security personnel surrounded some Maoists in the forest, said DIG, Ranchi, Arun Kumar Singh. Several rounds have been fired from both sides after the encounter began as soon as the joint anti-Naxal LWE operation commenced in the bordering areas of Khunti-West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharswan Districts, he said.

A CPI-Maoist squad allegedly killed a villager, identified as Ravindra Ganjhu, of Lakarmanda village under Kunda Police Station limits in Chatra District after dubbing him an 'informer' of Police and of rebel splinter group TPC. The Maoists took Ganjhu away from his house and slit his throat.

Upendra Oraon, a cadre of the SJMM, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested from a house in Latehar District. SP Ajay Linda said Oraon had set ablaze tools and equipment kept for construction of a bridge over Auranga River in 2014.

Acting on a tip-off, Simdega District Police arrested a PLFI 'area commander' from Bano Police Station area of Ranchi District. A country made pistol, cartridges, mobile phones and items of daily use were recovered from Kuldeep Nayak, who was later produced at the Simdega District Court.

In a late night raid, Police recovered a truckload of explosives from a godown in Tupudana locality in Ranchi Block in Ranchi District. The raid was conducted by Tupudana Police station in-charge, Ranjit Sinha, who seized a huge cache of explosives from the spot. Among the items recovered were seven bags of ammonium nitrate, five carton detonators, 20 cartons of power gel, 1500 gelatin wire, several fuse wire and codex wire. City SP Jaya Roy said, "As no one has been arrested so far, police are yet to find out as to who were the explosives meant for."

SFs launched a major search operation in Khunti District, a day after Maoists shot at a CoBRA personnel in the District. Four teams of CoBRA personnel and some personnel from the elite Jharkhand Jaguar were deployed to help the group of SF personnel already at work in the Kuchai forest in the District.

Police arrested a CPI-Maoist 'sub-zonal commander' Ashok Yadav and a hardcore cadre Bhiklal Dangi in Chatra District. Yadav, a resident of Barachatti Police Station of Bihar, was currently in-charge of Koleshwari zone of the area. Chatra SP Surendra Kumar Jha said that Police had received information that a CPI-Maoist squad was likely to visit villages Silwar, Kolva, Ektara and Bhalva. The purpose of this visit was to have an encounter with TPC men who were also going to visit that area. After getting the information the Police team started surveillance and on the arrival of the Maoists the Police team tried to stop them and while chasing the Police party finally caught 'sub zonal commander' Ashok Yadav. In the interim, the Simariya Police arrested hardcore Maoist Dangi from the forest area in the District.

PLFI leader Dinesh Gope (33) in an interview has said the group's "philanthropic work" is making it popular among the neglected tribes and the group has 7000-8000 cadres across the country, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and West Bengal. Gope said the PLFI was talking to tea garden labourers to extend its base to Assam after having spread to Uttarakhand and Haryana. He also claimed his cadres were in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, China and Nepal for talks with "like-minded organisations". He further claimed a major chunk of the "levy" they collect from contractors, businessmen and mine owners - the amount is estimated to run into several crores - goes into a slew of "welfare programmes" that help them connect with the people. The PLFI claimed it is running at least 16 residential schools in Jharkhand, as well as one school each in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. They have also 48 acres of land in Bihar to set up educational institutions. PLFI is a splinter group of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).

Heavily armed CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a coalfield office killing one person and injuring several others in Latehar District. The incident took place between 9.00 am and 10.00 am as the Maoists attacked everyone who were present at the office of CCL, a subsidiary of CIL. The Maoists also destroyed chairs, computers as well as the documents of the office. "The Maoists fired around 10 rounds and beat up workers of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). During the firing, a driver got hit; he was taken to the hospital but died during treatment," said Station House Officer, Ajay Kumar.

Meanwhile, some villagers in Gumla District have been united to tackle the growing menace of Maoists following numerous efforts by them to recruit school children into their camps. As many as 300 people from several villages across the District are holding meetings to counter the Maoists. The villagers said that Police have also assured help.

Acting on a tip off, the Bokaro District Police and CRPF personnel arrested a CPI-Maoist 'sub-zonal commander' of Bihar-Jharkhand Special Area Committee, identified as Rohit Marandi alias Rohit Manjhi, carrying INR 500,000 reward on his head, from Kashitand forest under Gomia block in Bokaro District. Following his interrogation, a LMG and other explosives were recovered in another forest at Ulanz village under Katkamsandi block near Hazaribagh-Chatra District borders. The LMG was snatched from the CRPF in 2001 in an ambush in Churchu block of Hazaribagh District where 11 troopers were killed. Hazaribagh Police is also interrogating Rohit in Bokaro.

Acting on a tip off, the Jharkhand Police arrested six TPC cadres from Ramgarh District and another Naxal from Bokaro District. Three 315 bore bullets and four mobile phones were seized from their possession.

Village dwellers around Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in West Singhbhum District sought paramilitary cover against CPI-Maoist atrocities and demanded compensation for those killed by the Maoists since 2009. Close to 1100 people from hamlets under Patamda and Nimdih Police Stations in West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan Districts that border the neighboring West Bengal state took out a rally in Ranchi. The protestors attempted to gherao the Chief Minister's residence in Kanke Road but were halted by Police barricades before the Governor's House. Armed with bows and arrows, axes and bamboos, the protestors held banners that read "No atrocities in the name of Marx, Engels and revolution. Get out of Jharkhand".

Armed Maoist cadres set ablaze two Hywa trucks, one JCB, one road roller and a tractor deployed in a road construction work at Parswar village under Bhandariya Police Station limits in Garhwa District. The Maoists also badly assaulted caretaker Arjun Yadav and Surendra Gupta. According to Police, about 30 to 35 armed Maoists reached Parswar village and set ablaze the machines and dragged the caretakers out from their houses before badly assaulting them. Later, they reached at Changiya tola of the village and set ablaze road roller and a tractor there. The Maoists left the place after threatening not to start the construction work, which is being conducted by PRA constructions.

A huge cache of ammunition was recovered from Palkot area in Gumla District following an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres. Acting on a tip-off that Maoist 'sub-zonal commander' Dipakji was camping in the dense forests of Palkot, special teams, comprising State Police personnel and CRPF personnel, were formed to corner the squad from all sides. As the SFs neared the forests, the Maoists opened fire. The SFs also retaliated, forcing the Maoists to flee, leaving behind a huge quantity of ammunition.

The Jharkhand High Court asked the Central Government to extend necessary assistance, both financial and human resources to the State for the development of the 21 CPI-Maoist-affected Districts. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Virendra Singh and Justice PP Bhatt delivered the order in connection with the kidnapping of 35 children by Maoists in Gumla District in which the Chief Justice in his motion, treated news published in a vernacular daily on April 22 as PIL and notices were issued to the Central and State officials. In his affidavit, Jharkhand DGP DK Pandey submitted that 21 anti-Maoist operations spread over 98 days have been conducted in Gumla District to free the kidnapped children during which five children were rescued.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Ishwar Dayal Mahto, was arrested in Bundu forests of Ranchi District even as another Maoist managed to escape. Police recovered a 9mm loaded pistol from him. He belonged to the Kundan Pahan squad of the CPI-Maoist.

The Bokaro Police recovered and defused a 20 kg can bomb on Sarubera-Palamu main road in Bokaro District.

Jharkhand Police are fighting the CPI-Maoist and other LWE groups without adequate personnel to gather intelligence inputs. The Department's Special Branch, the Central Intelligence Wing, does not have enough manpower to monitor movement of the Maoists. The Special Branch has over 1,250 vacant posts (2500 total strength) across board, including the crucial posts of Sub-Inspectors who gather intelligence on the ground. The posts of IG, DIG and SP (establishment), in the Special Branch are vacant for a long time. "The vacancy at the crucial posts definitely takes a toll on the efficiency of the branch. A few officers are doing the job of many," ADG, operations and Police Spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said.

A TPC 'area commander' identified as Virendra Baitha was arrested from Kitasoti village under Sadar Police Station limits of Garhwa District. Police recovered a country made pistol, three cartridges, a luxury SUV, INR 41,150, a gold chain, mobile phones and a passbook with deposits worth INR 700,000 from his possession. Confirming the arrest, Garhwa SP Priyadarshi Alok said, "Virendra Baitha is a millionaire." Baitha owns many trucks and several stone crusher units operating in different parts of Garhwa District, added the SP.

Twelve CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter with the Palamau District Police and a team of CoBRA personnel in Palamau District. "The encounter took place in Bakoria village, about 140 kilometre from Ranchi. All the bodies have been recovered," said District SP Mayur Patel. The cadres belonged to the 'dasta' (firing squad) of Maoist 'zonal commander' RK alias doctor, ADGP SN Pradhan said.

Ranchi District Police beefed up the security of Ranchi archbishop Telesphore Placidus Toppo of the Roman Catholic Church following a threat letter he got from PLFI seeking INR 50 million as extortion, failing which he would be killed. A self-styled PLFI 'zonal commander' of Jharkhand West Bengal region, Raj Kujur, sent the letter to the Cardinal house with a deadline of 15 days for the payment.

A villager, identified as Christopher Giddh (35), was killed during an encounter between the SFs and the CPI-Maoist cadres at Katkahi forest under Chainpur block in Gumla District. Arun Kumar Singh, DIG, Ranchi Range said "The civilian was not on the side of the Maoists during the encounter. It seems that a stray bullet from the Maoists side hit him." The SFs also arrested a CPI-Maoist 'zonal commander' identified as Ashok Kumar alias Prasad Lakra and two of his associates from the encounter site.

CPI-Maoist has claimed in a letter, sent to a vernacular daily in Ranchi that the June 9, 2015 Palamu District encounter in which 11 'active Maoist cadres' and a 'zonal commander' were killed is fake. In the letter, the CPI-Maoist Spokesperson Gopal Ji claimed that the cadres killed belonged to the JJMP which is a CPI-Maoist splinter group.

SFs recovered 100 kilograms of explosives in Gumla District. The place of recovery was near the residence of CPI-Maoist 'sub-zonal commander' Prasad Lakra alias Ashok, who was arrested from a Gumla village on June 11.

Acting on tip off, the Police conducted a raid on a CPI-Maoist hideout and arrested three 'hardcore' Maoists, identified as Diwakar Pakar Munda, Umakant Pakar Munda and Mohammad Afsal Aalam, in Khunti District. Police also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, which was reportedly looted by the Maoists in 2008.

A joint team of local Police and CRPF personnel arrested three cadres of the PLFI from their hideout in Gumla District.

An encounter between the SFs and cadres of the CPI-Maoist in the bordering area of Palamau and Latehar Districts led to recovery of large quantity of detonators and live cartridges.

Police detained the driver of a SUV and recovered detonators from several sacks in the car near Jermundi Police Station in Dumka District.

Twenty-one IEDs were recovered from Mahuatoli forest in Chainpur in Gumla District.

Koderma Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Kedar Yadav and Santosh Yadav, from Satgawan in Hazaribagh District.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have put up posters in Lohardaga and East Singhbhum Districts declaring bandh in Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh in protest against the encounter in Palamu District of Jharkhand on June 9, 2015. Lohardaga SP Manoj Ratan said the posters have been seized. "We should hold a people's court and punish those (members of rival extremist organizations like Jharkhand Prastuti Committee and Tritiya Prastuti Committee) working for the Police," one poster read. State Police Spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said Police have received intelligence inputs about Maoists calling a 24-hour bandh. "Elaborate security arrangement will be in place during the bandh," Pradhan added.

Suspected Maoist, identified as Arvind Gope, was arrested from Narkela in Gumla District for demanding an extortion amount of INR 150,000 from a teacher.

Around 25 CPI-Maoist cadres under Mithileshji's dalam allegedly blew up the bridge over Konar river in Churchu block, 50 kilometres from District headquarters of Hazaribagh District, ahead of their bandh call on June 23. The Maoists issued a bandh diktat for Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh to protest against the recent Palamau encounter.

Three cadres of the PLFI identified as Sanika Oreya alias Chita alias More Oreya, Soma Salukad alias Sandu Salukud, and Godapuran, were arrested from an under-construction building of the tourism department in Jojodih under Tamar Police Station in Ranchi District.

Two PLFI cadres, identified as Karam Singh Munda and Karan Hasa Purty, were arrested from Raboli village under Murhu Police Station limits in Khunti District.

Security personnel arrested two PLFI sympathisers, identified as Dasrath Kujjur and Dilip Nayak, under Karra Police Station limits of Khunti District.

The CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a stretch of the railway track between Chhipadohar and Barwadih stations derailing three bogies and the engine of Palamu Express in Latehar District.

About a dozen of posters, purportedly pasted by Maoists, were found in the heart of Chaibasa, headquarters of West Singhbhum District. The Police have removed all the posters pasted in and around the Kolhan University and nearby Tata College under Muffasil Police Station.

A day-long bandh called by the Maoists crippled normal life in Jharkhand, as vehicles remained off the roads and shops closed.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Seemant Soren (22), who was allegedly involved in several violent incidents including the killing of Pakur District SP Amarjeet Balihar in 2013, was arrested from Chatupara locality of Dumka District.

July 3

A former CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Bijay Singh, was arrested by the Nawajaipur Police in Palamu District. Confirming this, the DSP H L Ravi said the arrest was made when this ex-Maoist was flaunting his illicit weapon to frighten the second party in a disputed land.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested by SFs in Latehar District. The arrested trio - Umesh Yadav, Srinath Singh alias Santosh and Ashish Kumar Singh - were arrested during a joint operation by the Jharkhand STF and a team of Latehar District Police.

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist blew up three government buildings in Chainpur in Giridih District of Jharkhand.

Police arrested a Maoist area commander named Baleshwar Yadav at Jolha Bigha village under Pratappur Police Station near the Jharkhand-Bihar border in Chatra District. Chatra SP Surendra Jha said "Yadav has been a Maoist ideologue for some years. He had told his leaders that he was medically unfit and couldn't carry guns." Yadav is reportedly attached to the cultural and political wing of the CPI-Maoist.

Jharkhand Police has claimed that confessions by an arrested PLFI cadre led to the seizure of explosives weighing about 100kg in Patna. A senior Police officer said Thomas Soy, a PLFI rebel arrested on charges of extortion in Ranchi on July 7, had given leads about the explosives hidden in a private hostel in Patna.

Police and the CRPF have launched a joint operation to break the financial resources of the Maoists in East Singhbhum District who collect levy from contractors in the area. The SF personnel arrested two Maoist supporters carrying cash collected from a contractor in the form of levy to hand over to Maoist leader Ranjit Pal alias Rahul, who was the prime accused in the killing of JMM MP Sunil Mahato.

A wanted rebel of PLFI, identified as Bikram Gope alias Barud Gope (35), was arrested from Dhenatoli village under Kolebira Police Station in Simdega District. Barud is said to be close to PLFI founder and chief Dinesh Gope. Two of his aides were also arrested along with Barud when a Police team raided Dhenatoli village where a group of five PLFI rebels were holding a meeting. While two of them managed to escape from the camp, three others were held.

Ranchi District Police arrested three members of TPC, who were arrested at Subhash Nagar under Khalari Police Station. The Police had information that the three of them were moving somewhere to collect levy and Police raided. Gopal Ganjhu alias Nirbhayji (33), Sanesh Kumar (36), and Sankar Ganjhu (25) worked together in TPC.

SFs recovered a seven kilogram pipe bomb planted under the Ghori Ghat Main road in Chatra District. On a tip off, CRPF and the District Police personnel launched a search and recovered the explosive. It was apparently planted by CPI-Maoist to target security forces, from the arterial road passing through Jolhatetaria village, SP Surendra Kumar Jha said.

At least 20 villagers were beaten up by TPC cadres in Bendi village of Koderma District for refusing to serve food.

Senior CPI-Maoist leaders put sharpshooters on the job to gun down a former journalist in Gumla District to avenge his apparent role in putting a Maoist 'zonal commander' behind bars in June, 2015, the Jharkhand Police said after the arrest of three youths. Interrogations of the youths, Md Nasir, Md Azad and Md Azim, revealed that Maoists believed Satish Tiwary, the journalist turned-farmer, was the prime mover behind the arrest of Prasad Lakra, a 'zonal commander'. The murder of Tiwary, who was also believed to have facilitated the arrest of another Maoist with INR One million rewards on his head some years earlier when he was working for a vernacular daily, was planned meticulously. The three youths revealed they had been deputed to keep track of Tiwary's movements and kill him. Allegedly, a Maoist 'area commander', who identified himself as Birbal, had given the trio "mobile phones and other logistical support" to keep tabs on Tiwari and then kill him.

Three Maoist sympathisers were arrested with explosives in Derang valley under Ghatsila Sub-division of East Singhbhum District. Acting on a tip off, the District Police and the CPRF jointly launched a search operation and arrested two persons transporting six pieces of detonators, one kg each of promotional explosives and aluminium IED component near Derang under Dalbhumgarh Police Station, SSP, Anoop T Mathew said. SSP Mathew added the explosives were being transported to a squad headed by Maoist leader Kanu Munda from another squad led by Madan Mahato, who has been operating in Chakulia and areas bordering West Bengal. The two arrested persons have been identified as Khela Baske and Mangal Baske.

Bokaro District SP of Jharkhand A. Vijayalaxmi shot off letters to all 32 OICs of the District to keep a close watch on outfits promoting Naxalism in the garb of NGOs, 24 hours after State Police Headquarters in Ranchi received a list of 17 such active organisations in Jharkhand. The UMHA has listed 66 organisations operational across the country, which try and indoctrinate rural and urban youths, farmers, labourers, daily wage labourers, the displaced, and women with the LWE ideology, stoking feelings of deprivation and resentment against the government and the law of the land. Among them, 17 are actively functional in Jharkhand. They include known and not-so-known ones, such as Bharat Navyug Sabha, Communist Yuva League, Democratic Students' Union, Jharkhand Mazdoor Kisan Sangram Parishad, Jharkhand Awam, Jharkhand Mukti Mancha, Jharkhand Liberation Front, Krantikari Kisan Committee, Krantikari Budhijeevi Manch, Mazdoor Sangathan Samiti, Nari Mukti Sangh, Nari Mukti Sangram Samiti, Revolutionary Democratic Front, Revolutionary Students' League, Shramik Sangharsh Morcha, Operation Green Hunt Virodhi Nagrik Manch and Visthapit Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kaleshwar Mahto, considered close to Kundan Pahan, was arrested from Chowka in Saraikela-Kharsawan District.

A wanted Maoist, who was involved in the killing of SP Amarjit Balihar near Kathikund in Pakur District on July 2, 2013, was arrested during a raid in his native village under Ramgarh Police Station in Dumka District.

An encounter took place between SF personnel and JJMP cadres in Palamau District but there was no report of any Police casualty.

Four suspected Maoist cadres, including two women cadres, were arrested from different parts of Jharkhand. The women Maoists were identified as Pooja Kumari and Bahumuni Kumari. "The two have been active in the CPI (Maoist) for a long time. It is not clear if they hold some position or rank within the Maoist organization or serve as 'dasta' (squad) members. The process is on to find out their whereabouts," Hazaribagh Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Upendra Prasad informed.

A suspected Maoist cadre, identified as Buddhan Murmu (40), a resident of Betibandh village under Tesapuli panchayat in Pirtand block in Giridih District was arrested in connection with a blast in a government building at Chainpur on July 10, 2015, said Giridih SP Kuldeep Dwivedi.

Two women cadres of the CPI-Maoist were arrested from a hospital in Ramgarh District headquarters town. The duo - Bahumuni Kumari (20) and Pooja Kumari (16) - were active in Bokaro District of Jharkhand, alleged that they were raped by the outfit's 'regional committee member' Santoshda and his two aides.

200 'commandos' trained in jungle warfare have been deployed at Rajabagh on Koderma-Nawada inter-junction for the last month to secure the Jharkhand-Bihar border ahead of the upcoming assembly election in Bihar. The deployment is part of a pre-poll security exercise to open a forward camp on the Bihar border before the assembly polls.

The Jharkhand State Government came out with an exhaustive list of wanted rebels owing allegiance to the CPI-Maoist and its breakaway faction, PLFI, announcing a total reward money of INR 86.9 million for their arrests. Of the 73 names declared, 16 are in the ranks of 'central committee secretary', 'special area committee' member and 'regional bureau' member and carry a reward of INR 2.5 million each; 13 are in the ranks of 'regional committee' members INR 1.5 million each; 15 in the ranks of 'zonal committee' member INR 1 million each; 14 in the ranks of 'sub-zonal committee' member INR 400,000 each; nine in the rank of 'area committee' commander INR 200,000 each; and two as squad members INR 100,000 each. There are four more, who have been either arrested or killed. PLFI supremo Dinesh Gope, a resident of Khunti District who has successfully raised a parallel organisation on the lines of CPI-Maoist in Khunti, Simdega and Gumla, also falls in the INR 2.5 million reward category. Dreaded Naxalite Kundan Pahan appears as a 'regional committee' member of the CPI-Maoist with a reward of INR 1.5 million on his head. His brother Shyam Pahan's name features as a 'sub-zonal commander', carrying a reward of INR 500,000. Jharkhand ADG of Police S.N. Pradhan told that they had forwarded a proposal to the state government to award INR 10 million to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of any politburo member of the CPI-Maoist.

Police seized huge cache of explosives and arrested two men in connection with the case in Dumka District. The accused have been identified as Pathiya Ansari and Tayyab Ansari. The accused had been hiding the explosives in their houses. Police carried out a raid after receiving a tip-off on July 23 about explosives being stocked in two houses. Preliminary investigations have revealed the explosives were manufactured in Nagpur city and were procured by the accused from West Bengal.

Maoists set ablaze 30 vehicles of the CCL engaged in mining work in Bokaro District. More than 100 Maoists raided the CCL project site at Bermo area in the District. After thrashing the security men and asking them to leave, Maoists set the vehicles on fire.

A CPI-Maoist leader, identified as Sylvester Minz, a Zonal/Area Committee member, who was carrying a reward of INR 1.5 million on his head, was killed in an encounter with Police in Gumla District, while another was arrested in the District. Minz was shot dead in the encounter at a place under Chenpur Police Station, SP Bhimsen Tuti said. Acting on a tip-off that a group of Maoists have gathered at a village, Police surrounded the area between 5 AM and 6 AM. Witnessing the approaching force, the rebels fired upon the Police personnel triggering the gun battle, he said. A 'Sub-zonal Commander' Dilbar, carrying INR 500,000 on his head, was arrested after the encounter, the SP said.

Chatra District Police arrested a 'deputy platoon commander' of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Puranchand Yadav alias Pandu. Pandu was in the team of Kauleshwari zone regional commander Indal Bhokta. After interrogating the detained extremists, Chatra Police unearthed IEDs planted in the area. Three country-made rifles, a rifle with three magazines, 17 live cartridges, 16 detonators, two pouches, a pithoo and some medicines have also been recovered.

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist blew up a panchayat bhavan in Pachmo on the foothills of Jhumra in Gomia block of Bokaro District. The bhavan used to be a Police post earlier.

Jharkhand Government increased the cash rewards for information on four functionaries of the CPI-Maoist from INR 2.5 million to INR 10 million. The Maoist leaders carrying the cash reward on their head include Arvindji alias Dev Kumar Singh (50), Misir Besra (52), Prashant Bose (61) and Vivek Chandra Yadav.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Megnath (47) alias Shankar Paswan alias Shambhu, who had served as an 'area commander' of CPI-Maoist and is now a 'sub-zonal commander', surrendered before Jharkhand Police at the office of Chatra District SP S.K. Jha.

In Hazaribagh District, acting on a tip-off, Police managed to arrest JPC 'supremo' Vivek and his associate Ajay Mahto from Bendi forests in Katkamdag. "Vivek took the charge of JPC after his boss Guddu Ganjhu was murdered in December last year. We have recovered one 9mm pistol, four live bullets, two mobile handsets and Rs 5,000 from him. We will interrogate him," said Hazaribagh District SP Akhilesh Kumar Jha.

State Police Department removed the ASP Operations, two Inspectors and an OIC, posted at different Police Stations under the Bermo Sub-Division of Bokaro District, owing to their alleged incompetence in giving a befitting reply to the CPI-Maoist cadres, who torched 24 trucks engaged in the Khasmahal project of Central Coalfields Limited on July 24.

Acting on a tip-off, Police arrested three Naxalites in Hazaribagh District.

Five panchayats under CPI-Maoist-hit Manatu Police Station limits of Palamau District will be linked to development programme under Palamau Development Act Plan. Deputy Commissioner K. Srinivasan said development activities would be undertaken in education, health, road and other sectors at a cost of INR 1000 million in the current fiscal.

August 4

Police arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres from Khunti District.

A CPI-Maoist squad led by ‘area commander’ Kanhu Ram Munda lured away three girls aged between 17 to 19 years from Jiyan and Maheshpur villages under Gurabandha Police Station limits in East Singhbhum District.

August 5

CPI-Maoist called for Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar bandh on August 6 in protest against an alleged fake encounter of their regional member, identified as Dr. Shivnandan Bhagat alias Sylvester Minz in Jharkhand on July 25, 2015.

CRPF and Police teams launched a drive to arrest wanted Maoists, a day before the bandh call to protest the Police encounter in Jharkhand. Red alert was sounded in East Champaran District and Police conducted combing operations to flush out Maoists from areas on the Indo-Nepal border.

August 6

During their 24-hour long bandh, the CPI-Maoist cadres blew up two mobile phone towers near Tisia village of Kisko block in Lohardaga District.

The 24 hour long bandh call given by the Maoists to register protest against alleged Police excesses in Jharkhand evoked limited response in Magadh division. The bandh impact was felt in Dumaria, Imamganj, Banke Bazar and Raushanganj Police Station areas of Gaya District and part of Madanpur, Deo and some other areas of Aurangabad District, say reports reaching the divisional headquarters.

Large quantity of explosives including detonators was recovered from the Kochang jungle in Khunti District. SF personnel comprising CRPF and District Armed Force stumbled upon the explosives weighing 140 kg including detonators during combing operation. The operation was launched in view of a bandh called by the CPI-Maoist protesting recent arrest of a leader of the rebels. The SFs also recovered 15 pieces of boosters.

August 8

110 landmines planted by suspected Naxalites across three villages in a row in Palamau District were recovered by SF personnel. "The 110 landmines were connected in a series covering Talghati, Matoli and Icchak villages along Panki and Balumath road," DIG Police, Palamau Range, Saket Kumar Singh said. The distance between each explosive was five to ten feet and five of the landmines weighed about 50 kg.

August 8-9

Security personnel recovered around 400 IEDs during a search operation in Latehar and Palamu Districts. State Police Spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said "250 IEDs were recovered on Sunday and 162 on Saturday in Maoist-dominated forested areas in Latehar and Palamu."

A powerful landmine planted by suspected CPI-Maoist cadres was found from underneath Shyamsunderpur - Gorbandha road in Ghatsila Sub-division of East Singhbhum District.

A huge cache of explosives allegedly hidden by PLFI was found in a liquor shop in Tupudana area on the outskirts of Ranchi District. The explosives had 26 detonators; 12 kg power gel, a few bullets, and 20 kg urea apart from Maoist fatigues and literature.

Armed cadres of PLFI attacked an under-construction model school at Pahantoili under Burmu Police Station near Ranchi, Ranchi District. The extremists also set ablaze several construction vehicles at the site. The motive behind the attack was to extort money from the contractor, Ranchi rural SP Raj Kumar Lakra said. During initial investigation, Police found that rebels were led by PLFI leader Sultanji who is responsible for areas in Burmu.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested at Janupuri more under Murhu Police Station in Khunti District. Luxman Munda and Jura Hasa are in their 20s and have been working for the Maoists for a few years. One rifle and 10 bullets were found from them. The Police also recovered two bikes.

A Policeman and an AK-47-toting CPI-Maoist 'area commander' were killed while Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumar, two of his men and two other Maoists were injured in an encounter under Murhu Police Station limits in Khunti District. Commenting on the encounter State DGP DK Pandey said "Chandan was part of the infamous Kundan Pahan group. We recovered an AK-47 rifle and six loaded magazines from him."

A 'sub-zonal commander' of the CPI-Maoist, Pradip Yadav, was arrested with arms and ammunition from Kanda village under Bisrampur Police Station in Palamau District. Yadav was arrested when he was waiting for his squad member to join him in the night, said Dy. SP Hiralal Ravi. A country-made revolver, five live cartridges, a mobile phone, six sim cards of different companies were seized from him, he said adding Yadav has disclosed vital information about the outfit's activities and name and address of 31 Maoists operating in the Districts.

The Jharkhand State Government decided to confer gallantry award on Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumar, his bodyguard, Faizal, and driver Rumul Sawaiya for their role in August 18 encounter with Maoists in Khunti District. While Kumar and Faizal were injured, Sawaiya died on the spot. The Government also decided to recommend Kumar's name for President's medal, besides giving a out-of-turn promotion to Faizal. It offered a job to the widow of Sawaiya and allotted the house he was staying in to his family.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, allegedly involved in the August 18 encounter in which Ranchi SSP was injured, were arrested from Seraikela-Kharswan District. SP Indrajeet Mahatha said Mangru Munda alias Arjun Munda, who was the body guard of 'area commander' Kundan Pahan and 36-year-old Sombari Mundari were arrested during a checking drive from Kharswan.

SFs recovered a five kilogram IED on Kohaiya-Ramkheta road from Kolhaiya forest under Rajpur Police Station area in Chatra District. They recovered it acting on a tip off provided by an arrested CPI-Maoist, identified as Nagina.

A 'sub-zonal commander' of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Pradip Yadav, was arrested with arms and ammunition from Kanda village under Bisrampur Police Station area in Palamau District.

Two cadres of the PLFI-a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, were killed in an encounter with the SF personnel during an anti-Naxal operation in Madhatu village under Arki Police Station in Khunti District.

Two powerful IEDs were recovered during a joint anti-CPI-Maoist operation in Chengde village under Rania Police Station of Khunti District.

A Constable of CoBRA was injured in an encounter with CPI-Maoist cadres under Baresarh Police Station limits in Latehar District. Acting on intelligence inputs that a group of Maoists led by its top leader Arvindji have gathered in the area State Police with CoBRA troopers undertook the anti-Maoist operation in Budha forest region.

Maoist cadres have distributed pamphlets to build support for their protest against the State Government over the Parasnath Action Plan in the next few days. "We were informed about the distribution of pamphlets through sources. Police were directed to verify claims. Appropriate action will be taken", said Giridih DSP Vijay A Kujur.

A 25-year-old member of the PLFI, who was wanted in the March 30 Patna apartment blast case, was arrested from a hospital in Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand. Investigating officers believe that Sonu was mastermind of the blast.

Five LWEs belonging to JJMP were arrested in Chhaterpur Police Station area of Palamu District. SFs seized two 315 bore country made rifles, three 315 bore country made guns, 25 rounds of cartridges, five pads of JJMP, five uniforms and four pouches from the arrested extremists.

Latehar SP Anup Birthare claimed that four Maoist cadres have been killed in a SF operation in Latehar District. The Police also claim to have unearthed the hideout of CPI-Maoist 'central committee member' Arvindji.

According to Jharkhand Government's cabinet decision that amended the surrender policy, secretaries and members of the central committees and politburo of the CPI-Maoist will get INR 10 million on surrender, a raise from INR 2.5 million. However, the Police still don't have a count on the number of top-rung extremist leaders operating in the state. The amount would be the same for all central committee and politburo members, said Jharkhand Police spokesperson SN Pradhan.

SF personnel busted a CPI-Maoist hideout at Tekri hillock, bordering West Bengal, following a fierce encounter under Ghatsila Sub-division of East Singhbhum District. The security personnel have recovered a six-round loaded 303 Rifle looted from the Police in the past, a pistol, gelatin sticks, explosives including bomb making material, camera flash, daily core items, daily core items of women, dairy and Maoist literatures from the camp, among others, SSP, Anoop T Mathew said.

A top CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Maheshi Yadav alias Banarsi alias Raghubansh, wanted in Bihar and Jharkhand especially in the border region, surrendered before Jharkhand DGP D.K. Pandey in Chatra District. Commenting on his surrender Jharkhand Police Spokesperson S.N. Pradhan said "He was the zonal commander of Kauleshwari zone which is spread across Chatra, Gaya, and Palamu districts on the border. It is considered one of the strongest zones in the two states." He carried reward of INR 500,000 on his head.

A PLFI cadre, identified as Jitendra Mahto, was arrested from Hatia locality in Ranchi District. A pistol and live cartridges were recovered from his possession.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have killed a civilian, identified as Rupesh Chandra Gope (40), at Badagudru village under Jatia Police Station limits in West Singhbhum District. Michael S. Raj, SP, West Singhbhum District said "Yes, Rupesh was close with the Police, creating an impression among the rebels that he was a Police informer. The rebels have killed the man, suspecting him to be the informer."

The para-military forces and the Maoists were engaged in an encounter at Tikri forest in Burudih under Ghatshila Police Station area of East Singhbhum District. The security personnel recovered a rifle, a pistol, gelatin sticks, explosives including bomb making material, and Maoist literature from the encounter spot.

A suspected CPI-Maoist cadre, who was wanted in many cases in Bihar's Rohtas District, was arrested during a joint raid in Chatra District of Jharkhand. Sadar police station in-charge Ashok Ram said Santosh Bhuiya was living in a rented accommodation in Marwari muhalla in Chatra town area. A team of Bihar and Chatra Police personnel was tracing his mobile number and later raided the locality.

Two PLFI cadres were arrested in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. 100 kg of explosives and 25 mobile phones were recovered from them.

The CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a poclain machine used in construction of a bridge in Palamu District of Jharkhand. The Maoists also beat up the labourers.

CPI-Maoist cadres beheaded a civilian, identified as Nimai Goswami (40), at Nawatard area on Giridih-Tundi road under Taratard Police Station area of Giridih District, branding him as a 'Police informer.'

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested during a search operation by a joint team of Police and CRPF personnel in Tuti Jharna area of Luggu Hill under Mahuataad Police Station in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. The accused includes a woman and her brother-in-law, said the Police. They were active members of the squad under Maoist 'commander' Santosh Mahto, said Kumar. "The accused, identified by police as Hiralal Tuddu and Surajmuni, confessed to their involvement in the attack launched on police personnel ahead of Lok Sabha polls in 14," said Kumar.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed a 20-year-girl, identified as Sanjeeta Kumari, whose blood-stained body was found near the hills of Gumla in Jharkhand. Kumari, who also went by the name of Guddi, was lured into the outlaw group when she was 11 by a neighbour and transformed from a cook into a crack shot, serving under the Maoist banner for eight years, before she decided to return to mainstream.

Nagar Untari Police of Garhwa District of Jharkhand arrested former 'sub-zonal commander' of CPI-Maoist, identified as Sanjay Singh Kharwar alias Chhotu Kharwar for allegedly planning to steal the famous gold idol of Radha Krishna from Banshidhar temple at Nagar Untari, SDPO Manish Kumar said. Police also seized a pistol and two cartridges from his possession. Others involved in the loot plot are absconding, said SDPO Kumar.

Two troopers of the SSB were killed when CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a joint team of SSB and District armed Police conducting a special operation near Katahaldih under Sundar Pahari Police Station of Godda District of Jharkhand. Police spokesperson S N Pradhan said that Police have recovered one SLR left behind by the Maoists. "The Maoists ran away as security forces retaliated with force. They have also suffered heavy injuries," he said. No dead body of Maoist has, however, been recovered so far.

CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a Government middle school at Srendag under Herhunj Police Station limits in Latehar District. Maoists numbering 20 to 25 used multiple landmines to bring down three of the five rooms of the school. The Maoists were led by Sarwanji.

The Police and para-military forces had a fierce encounter with an armed squad of CPI-Maoist at Joheragora jungle under Tamar Police Station area in Ranchi District bordering Seraikela-Kharsawan District.

SFs arrested five CPI-Maoist cadres in a raid in the jungle between villages Johohatu-Chandor in Khunti District.

Bokaro District Police in a joint operation with the CRPF arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre and recovered cash INR 50,000 and pistol from his possession at Tilya village under Mahuataad Police Station limits in Bokaro District. The arrested Maoist has been identified as Jaleshwar Mahto alias Jale. Mahto used to work as a levy collection agent for the Maoists in the area. He has joined the Maoist outfit seven years ago. "During Police interrogation Mahto revealed vital information about the people from whom Maoists used to collect levy. Mahto confessed that he collected the cash as levy from a contractor and was carrying to deliver it to Maoist commander Santosh Mahto, when police nabbed him," said Neeraj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bermo.

Bokaro District Police along with CRPF's 26th battalion unearthed a CPI-Maoist mini gun factory at Dakasadam under Mahuatand Police Station limits in Bokaro District of Jharkhand. Two Maoists, identified as Kannu Prajapati and Talo Manjhi, were arrested. Police recovered arms and ammunition from them, said Y.S. Ramesh, SP, Bokaro.

In an encounter with the CPI-Maoist in Dharmashala-Satgharwa forest of Simdega District of Jharkhand, SFs recovered several salwar suits along with other articles of day to day use. "The encounter took place early in the morning during a routine LRP in the jungles of Dharamshala. As the rebels spotted Police movement from a distant height, they started firing on the Security Forces and after a brief encounter, they succeeded in running away in different directions," said Simdega SP, Rajiv Ranjan.

A 'sub-zonal commander' of the PLFI, identified as Ranjit Toppo (30), was arrested on a tip-off from Thethaitanger area in Simdega District. Toppo was released from Simdega divisional jail on provisional bail in June this year. But he didn't mend his ways thereafter and continued his association with the rebel outfit.

Wife of senior politburo member Kisan Da, Sheela di was arrested from Tenughat jail gate in Bokaro District, immediately after being released on bail granted to her by Jharkhand High Court.

A CPI-Maoist cadre with a bounty of INR 500,000 was arrested from Maithan in Dhanbad District of Jharkhand. He was the 'sub-zonal commander' of the CPI-Maoist in Bhakpa and the right hand of notorious Maoist Nakul Yadav.

Amid heightened security for first phase of panchayat elections in Jharkhand, CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze two trucks at Kolbhanga under Manoharpur Police limits in West Singhbhum District of Jharkhand. Sources said a group of about 35 Maoists intercepted some trucks carrying minerals from Chiria mines. The Maoists set ablaze the trucks after asking the truck crew to vacate the vehicles. Two trucks were totally gutted and one damaged partially. Crew of at least 22 other trucks fled from the spot leaving behind the vehicles. However, Police said "In the absence of any poster, we are not sure which Maoist group is involved".

A crude bomb suspected to be planted by the CPI-Maoist exploded at a food outlet in Deoghar District. The blast occurred at the cash counter of a hotel located near the Jama Masjid area.

Suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze four vehicles engaged in road construction work in Kuchai under Kuchai Police Station of Seraikela-Kharswan District.

Acting on intelligence inputs a joint team of Jharkhand Police personnel and CRPF troopers arrested a man and seized a bag with INR 2.2 million from his possession at Tandwa in Chatra District of Jharkhand. Police said the money was meant for Maoist 'zonal commander' Manohar Ganjhu. Binod Ganjhu, who was allegedly delivering the money, was in an SUV. Police said he has confessed to his Maoist links.

Ahead of the third phase of panchayat elections, the CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze a bus at Posa locality under Panki Police Station limits in Palamau District of Jharkhand. Around a dozen CPI-Maoist cadres intercepted the bus on its way to Medininagar from Ranchi and asked the passengers and driver to get down before they poured petroleum products and set it ablaze, said DIG, Palamau, Saket Kumar Singh. The incident has occurred barely two days before the third phase of the four phase Panchayat elections.

A civilian from Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh, identified as Venka Reddy (52), was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres in the forests of Jharkhand. Venka Reddy was reportedly working as a site manager for a contractor who was carrying out canal construction works in Jamshedpur area. He was first kidnapped, along with another person, and taken into the deep forests. When Venka Reddy refused to give the phone numbers of the contractor, Maoists allegedly shot him dead. His body was later abandoned in the jungles. The other person was later freed.

The CPI-Maoist continued with its poster war against panchayati raj elections in the rural pockets of Pirtand and Dumri blocks of Giridih District despite the State Police launching anti-Maoist operations in many Districts. Three Maoist-hit blocks of the district, including Pirtand, Dumri and Bagodar will vote in the fourth and last phase of the panchayat election on December 12. Apart from protesting against the ongoing anti-Maoist operations, Maoists have asked villagers to stay away from polling.

A self-styled 'zonal commander' of TPC, identified as Prabhatji alias Babia alias Turi alias Shankar, was arrested in Ramgarh District. Police said they found two 9mm pistols, 15 cartridges, 17 mobile phone sets, sim cards, fake voter ID cards and pan cards and INR 40,500 cash of INR 1,000 and 500 notes.

A suspected CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Basudeo Oraon (35), was killed while planting an IED at Anegada village under Bagru Police Station limits in Peshrar block of Lohardaga District. The incident has occurred ahead of the December 14 State Assembly by-elections in Lohardaga District.

Suspected Naxalites abducted a stone crusher plant owner from Chowka in Seraikela-Kharsawan District. The victim Pawan Sahu (42) was returning home in a car from Jamshedpur around 10 pm, when he was taken hostage.

Hazaribagh Police arrested a hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Budhan Ageria (45), from his residence in Ramgarh District. He was wanted in about a dozen cases lodged in different Police Stations of Hazaribagh and Ramgarh Districts.

Barring a few Maoist dominated pockets where Maoist fear kept many voters away from polling booths, a large number of people turned out to vote in the Lohardaga Assembly by-election which reported an overall 66.29 percent voter turnout.

An alleged arms supplier was arrested soon after he got off Jansatabdi Express at Badajamda station in West Singhbhum District, said SP Michael Raj S. The SP added 10 wireless sets and Maoist literature were recovered from his possession, identified as Bhaskar Chakraborty, who was coming from Kolkata on the Howrah-Barbil Jansatabdi Express. Chakraborty allegedly used to supply the material and arms to the Maoists in Saranda forest of the District, the SP said.

A 'sub-zonal commander' of TPC, identified as Sohrai Mochi alias Harinder ji alias Birsa ji, was remanded in judicial custody on December 17, after being arrested in Palamu's Harya village under Manatu Police Station area. He was earlier with the CPI-Maoist, but left it in 2008 to join TPC and rose through the ranks to become its 'subzonal commander'. He has more than 12 cases pending against him. TPC is a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist.

Jharkhand Police killed a PLFI 'area commander', identified as Dinesh Sahu (28), in an encounter, at Bandha village under Tupudana block in Ranchi District wanted in at least 29 cases in Khunti District. Khunti SP Anish Gupta said "He (Sahu) was wanted in several cases of rape, murder and extortion. Reacting on a tip-off by one of our informers, we found him and shot him dead." Four of Sahu's accomplices, however, managed to escape. A massive search operation has been launched to apprehend them, said Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumar. Arms and ammunition were recovered from Sahu, Kumar said, adding that a detailed seizure list was being prepared.

Jharkhand State Government has identified 13 extremely Naxal-hit regions in the State for their all round development. Basic services would be provided, besides generating self-employment and strengthening of the administrative system, Rural Development Minister Nilkanth Singh Munda said. Apart from rural development department, there would be coordination with departments like water resources, tourism, health services, education and public distribution, the minister said. Commissioners have been given special powers to execute works in these areas, he said.

Two more Districts of Santhal Pargana - Godda and Jamtara - have been included in the list of the LWE affected Districts of Jharkhand. Baring Sahebganj, rest of the five Districts of the Santhal Pargana division have officially been recognized as Maoist-hit with three Districts - Dumka, Pakur and Deoghar - already falling under this category.

Cache of arms and explosives hidden by the CPI-Maoist were recovered by CRPF personnel near Tilaya-Dania road of Jhumra hill under Mahuatard Police Station limits in Bokaro District. The explosives included a cylinder bomb of 30 kg, four cane bombs of 10 kg each, 10 pieces of detonators, one local made pistol and Maoist literature during the operation, said Y.S. Ramesh, SP Bokaro.

More than 100 Maoist cadres assembled near Kachho and Pipradih forest areas in Bokaro District and held a meeting with the villagers to win the trust of the people. Sources said the Maoists are worried over loosing local support.

A joint team of CRPF and State Police, who was searching for a CPI-Maoist 'zonal commander' exchanged fire with a group of "heavily armed" Maoists near Koleshwari hills on the Jharkhand-Bihar border. Chatra SP S.K. Jha said around 100 Maoists fired at the group of security personnel who were advancing towards Bihar. "The forces retaliated strongly. It forced the rebels to run away to avoid casualty," he added. The gun-battle lasted for half-an-hour but none of the security personnel or Maoists was hit, said CRPF's Jharkhand IG Rakesh Kumar Mishra. The team had information that Maoist leader Uma Bhokta alias Endalji was hiding in the densely forested Koleshwari between Chatra and Gaya District in Bihar.

A 'sub-zonal commander' and an 'area commander' of the CPI-Maoist, each carrying a cash award of INR 500,000 on his head and involved in the 2013 'belly bomb attack' in Latehar District, surrendered before the State DGP D.K. Pandey in Ranchi District. While Koyal-Sankh 'sub-zonal commander' Gajendra Sao (28), alias Gajju, surrendered with a rifle and a pistol, Manika-Herhanj 'area commander' Kuldeep Mehta (30) deposited a rifle.

The Jharkhand Police has said that as many as 37 dreaded Naxalites in the rank of 'area commander' and above were arrested during the anti-LWE operation during 2015. "This was an outstanding year with arrests of more than 400 Naxalites, recovery of huge amount of explosives and weapons and (the police) lost no weapon," ADGP (Operation) S.N. Pradhan said. These were the biggest achievements during the last 10 years, he added. Twenty-eight LWEs were killed as against four Policemen during anti-LWE operations in 2015, he said. Asserting that LWE violence would be nearly wiped out in the next two-three years through sustained operations, Pradhan said the year saw the Police targeting the top and middle level leaders in the Maoist ranks through arrests or their neutralization. The mounting pressure hit hard on the Maoists as they lost on cadres while new cadres did not join them, he added.

A 19-year-old youth who was a suspected CPI-Maoist cadre committed suicide at the Ghatshila Police Station in lock-up in the wee hours. The deceased was identified as Ramesh Mahali alias Bhuchan, a resident of Shyamsundarpur in Ghatshila sub-division of East Singhbhum District. According to information, Bhuchan was one of the three accused who had killed Venket Reddy (40), site in-charge of a construction company, at Shyamsundarpur forest after kidnapping him from Kharkasoli, a canal construction site along Subernarekha river in Shyamsundarpur on December 8.