In a significant development, security forces in Jharkhand apprehended Ravindra Ganjhu, a regional commander of the banned CPI-Maoist with a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head. The arrest took place near his native village, Hesla, in the Chandwa police station area of Latehar.
Ganjhu, also known by aliases Mukesh Ganjhu and Surendra Ganjhu, faces accusations in approximately 55 cases across various police stations in Jharkhand, including charges related to murder, Maoist violence, extortion, bomb attacks, and illegal arms offenses. Investigators believe he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Maoist attack on a police patrol vehicle near Lukuiya Mor in Chandwa in 2019, resulting in the deaths of four police personnel.
According to authorities, Ganjhu is suspected of being the mastermind behind various incidents, including the Chandwa police attack case and the recovery of weapons during “Operation Double Bull” in the Bulbul forest along the Latehar-Lohardaga border in 2022. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is actively probing these cases, among others, linked to Ganjhu.
The NIA has sealed Ganjhu’s residence in Hesla village, alleging that the property was constructed using funds obtained through extortion and illegal levies collected by the Maoist network. Currently under interrogation, Ganjhu’s arrest is expected to provide critical insights into the Maoist organization’s structure, arms stockpiles, financial sources, and the activities of other operatives. This development marks a significant advancement in the fight against Maoist insurgency in Jharkhand.
