20 Maoists, two commanders with Rs 10-lakh reward set to surrender
Pioneer News Service
Jamshedpur
In what could mark a significant achievement in anti-Maoist campaign, more than 20 Maoists, including two senior commanders carrying rewards of ₹10 lakh each, are expected to surrender before the police on Tuesday. The formal announcement will be made at the Police Headquarters in Ranchi, where the surrendered cadres will be presented to the media.
Among those preparing to lay down arms are Zonal Commanders Ashwin, also known as Azad or Lachhu, and Chandan Lohra. Ashwin, a key member of the squad led by top Maoist commander Misir Besra, is wanted in several criminal cases, including the attack on a former MLA in West Singhbhum. Chandan Lohra, a resident of Arki in Khunti district, faces 31 criminal cases registered across West Singhbhum, with police having earlier issued a public proclamation at his residence. Several other active Maoists, including Dilip Mahto, Chanda and Jagbandhu, are also expected to surrender.
The development follows sustained anti-insurgency operations by CoBRA, CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar and district police forces across the dense forests of Saranda and Kolhan. As security forces intensified operations, Maoist cadres reportedly attempted to move towards the Dalma hills and the Jharkhand-West Bengal border in search of safer hideouts. Acting on intelligence inputs, security personnel launched extensive search operations in Dalma, Patamda, Bodam, Seraikela and adjoining border areas, effectively surrounding the fleeing insurgents.
Police sources said continuous pressure, disrupted supply lines, harsh forest conditions and the constant threat of encounters forced the Maoists into isolation, leaving them with little option but to surrender. Officials believe the move represents one of the biggest setbacks for the banned outfit in recent years.
Security agencies expect the surrender of senior commanders to provide crucial intelligence on the Maoist network, including its arms supply chain, extortion (levy) operations and communication channels. Officials say the information could help dismantle the remaining insurgent infrastructure and accelerate efforts to restore lasting peace and development in the Kolhan and Saranda regions.
