Major Success Against Naxalites: Rs 15 Lakh Rewarded Naxal Ranvijay Mahto Arrested, Two Naxalites Killed in Encounter
Bulletin India, Desk.
Bokaro: The Jharkhand Police achieved a significant breakthrough in its anti-Naxalite operations with the arrest of Ranvijay Mahto alias Ranjay alias Nepal Mahto, a top Maoist leader with a bounty of Rs 15 lakh. Additionally, an early morning encounter in Bokaro district’s forests led to the killing of two Naxalites, including a female commander. Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta provided this information during a press conference.
Arrest of Ranvijay Mahto:
Ranvijay Mahto, a regional commander in the Maoist organization, was apprehended following a well-planned operation based on intelligence inputs. Mahto has 33 serious criminal cases registered against him in the districts of Bokaro, Giridih, and Dhanbad, including charges of murder, conspiracy, and possession of explosives and illegal arms.
Encounter and Seizures:
During interrogation, Mahto revealed that his team, comprising key Naxal members, was planning a major attack in the hilly regions of Banshi and Jadwa in Bokaro district. Acting on this information, a joint task force was formed under the leadership of Bokaro Superintendent of Police. The task force included personnel from COBRA Battalion-209, CRPF-26, CRPF-154, Jharkhand Jaguar, and the district police.
On January 22, at 6:10 AM, an intense gunfight erupted between security forces and Naxalites. The encounter resulted in the deaths of Shanti Devi, a female area commander, and Manoj Tudu, a male Naxalite. Both were involved in multiple criminal activities, and Shanti Devi was also the wife of Ranvijay Mahto.
Recovered Items:
The operation led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including:
- 2 Insas rifles (5.56 mm)
- 1 AK-47 rifle
- 158 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition
- 349 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition
- Magazines for Insas and AK-47 rifles
- Other materials related to Maoist operations
Identities of the Deceased Naxalites:
1. Shanti Devi (Area Commander):
– Husband: Ranvijay Mahto
– Address: Village Chatro, Atabera, Khukhra Police Station, Giridih District
Criminal Record: Multiple cases of murder, possession of explosives, and attacks on security forces.
2. Manoj Tudu (Member):
– Address: Village Dhawatand, Peertand Police Station, Giridih District
Criminal Record: Several registered cases against him.
Police Statement:
The DGP and senior police officials emphasized their commitment to cracking down on Naxalite activities and maintaining law and order in the state. They described the operation as a major blow to the Maoist network and morale.
The search operation is still ongoing, with a focus on rooting out remaining Naxalite elements in the region. The press conference was attended by DGP Anurag Gupta, Operations IG Amol Venukant Homkar, CRPF IG Saket Kumar Singh, Bokaro IG Michael S. Raj, Bokaro DIG Surendra Jha, CRPF DIG Brajesh Kumar Singh, and Bokaro SP Manoj Swargeyari.
This development marks a significant victory for security forces in their fight against left-wing extremism.