Surendra Soren
Ranchi
In a major success against Left-Wing Extremism, the Jharkhand Police arrested Ravindra Ganjhu, a Rs 20 lakh reward-carrying Maoist, during a joint operation in Latehar district. An AK-56 assault rifle, a pistol and a large quantity of live ammunition were recovered from his possession.
According to police officials, Ganjhu had been hiding in the forests of Latehar. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Jharkhand Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a search operation, cordoned off the area and apprehended him.
Ganjhu is the prime accused in the 2019 Chandwa Maoist attack in Latehar district, in which four police personnel were killed. The attack occurred during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jharkhand. Police investigations had identified Ganjhu as the mastermind behind the attack, following which he remained absconding and was allegedly active in Maoist-affected areas of Latehar, Lohardaga and Gumla.
Senior police officials described the arrest as a significant blow to Maoist networks operating in the region. They said the operation is expected to strengthen security and anti-insurgency efforts across central Jharkhand.
Police are interrogating the arrested Maoist to gather information about his associates, the organisational network and any planned extremist activities. Further details of the operation are expected to be shared during an official police press briefing.
