RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Feb.22: Jharkhand police have arrested as many as nine Maoists and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from their possession during a 12-day operation named ‘Operation Double Bull’ in Lohardaga and its adjoining areas that came to an end on February 21.
Out of nine Maoists arrested one is Balram Oraon, who carries a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head. Others include Shailendra Nagesia, Lalita Devi, Markush Nagesia, Viren Korwa, Mukesh Korwa, Shaileshwar Oraon, Sheela Kherwar and Dashrath Kherwar.
Devi is a Maoist guerilla and wife of zonal commander Ravindra Ganjhu, who carries a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head. Oraon is wanted in as many as 82 cases.
The cache of arms and ammunition include one INSAS rifle, one rifle of 315 bore. one American rifle, one pistol, 1678 live bullets and 21 magazines besides others.
Those arrested are involved in the killing of 11 policemen by blasting in the Dhardharia Falls, killing of four policemen in Chandwa under Latehar district and setting 29 vehicles on fire in Gumla besides others.
I.G.(operation) and police spokesperson A.V.Homkar, producing the Maoists and their fire weapon, told the media that the breakthrough came after 10 fierce encounters and a blast of IEDs that injured three CoBRA jawans in 12 days.
He said that the operation started after police got information that Ravindra Ganjhu is present in Bulbul forest under Peshrar police station area of Lohardaga district with a group of 30 to 40 Maoists and planning some action in the Bauxite mining area.
