Two days after the country was declared free of Naxals (Maoists), a major breakthrough occurred in Jharkhand’s Latehar. Surendra Lohra, also known as ‘Tiger,’ a sub-zonal commander of the banned Maoist group Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad (JJP), surrendered before the police in the district. Lohra, who had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head, renounced violence in the presence of Palamu Range IG Shailendra Kumar Sinha and Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav.
A resident of Manjar village under Latehar Sadar police station limits, Lohra had been associated with various Maoist groups for almost twenty years. He is wanted in multiple serious cases registered across different police stations in the district, indicating his extensive involvement in extremist activities. Police officials attributed Lohra’s surrender to the state government’s rehabilitation initiative ‘Nayi Disha,’ aimed at reintegrating Maoist cadres into society.
IG Sinha explained that Lohra was informed about the benefits and support available under the policy, which influenced his decision to abandon violence. SP Kumar Gaurav noted that 28 Maoists have surrendered in Latehar district during his tenure of approximately one and a half years, a result of sustained anti-Naxal operations and rehabilitation efforts. Gaurav hailed Lohra’s surrender as a significant step towards making Latehar free of Maoists.
Additionally, the SP issued a strong warning to those still engaged in insurgent activities, urging them to utilize the government’s surrender policy or face strict action by security forces. Several senior police officials, including DSP Vinod Ravani, Inspector Pramod Kumar, and Station House Officer Krishna Pal Singh Pavaiya, were present during the surrender ceremony.
