Daijiworld Media Network - Latehar

Latehar, Feb 11: Jharkhand police arrested a Maoist commander, Adesh Ganjhu, along with two associates, Ujjwal Kumar and Subhash Kumar, during a special operation in Latehar district, officials said on Wednesday. Ganjhu, who carried a ?50,000 bounty, is an active member of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC).

Authorities recovered illegal firearms, ammunition, and documents linked to extremist activities from their possession.

According to Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav, the operation was launched based on a tip-off that Ganjhu and four to five armed cadres were hiding in the Pakrua forest near Banwar village under Bariatu police limits, allegedly planning a major criminal act. A special raiding team conducted a coordinated search and cordon operation, successfully apprehending three suspects, while some cadres escaped under cover of darkness.

SP Gaurav said Ganjhu has been active in TSPC for several years and was involved in multiple criminal incidents across Latehar and Chatra districts. He faces 21 cases, including extortion, arson, firing, levy collection, and other Naxalite-related offences.

Ganjhu reportedly used multiple aliases—Prabhakar, Kaushal, Upendra, and Vikram—to evade arrest and extort money from contractors, traders, and infrastructure operators. He was active in areas including Balumath, Tandwa, Simaria, Lawalaung, Keredari, Khalari, and McCluskieganj.

Subhash Kumar is already facing a case in Chatra, while Ujjwal Kumar’s role is under further investigation. Police said interrogation of the arrested suspects is ongoing to gather intelligence on TSPC’s network, hideouts, funding channels, and potential plans.