Who is Jharkhand’s Most Wanted Maoist Nagina Arrested by UP ATS?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nagina was arrested by UP ATS.
- He carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh.
- Involved in over 25 Maoist cases.
- He is the sub-zonal commander of TSPC.
- His arrest may expose the Maoist network.
Ranchi/Lucknow, Sep 23 (NationPress) The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has successfully apprehended Umesh Kherwar, known as Nagina or Doctor, who ranks among the most wanted Maoists in Jharkhand, in proximity to Lucknow.
A senior police officer from Palamu has verified the arrest, noting that Nagina had been evading capture following a string of violent confrontations in Jharkhand.
The government of Jharkhand recently announced a bounty of Rs 5 lakh for his capture.
Nagina hails from Jhalangi village, situated under the Dandai police station in Garhwa district, and is implicated in more than 25 Maoist-related incidents across the regions of Palamu, Garhwa, and Latehar.
He serves as the sub-zonal commander for the outlawed Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) and is recognized as a close ally of the group’s leader, Shashikant Ganjhu.
According to police reports, he was directly involved in the deadly encounter on September 3 at Manatu in Palamu district, which resulted in the deaths of two police officers, as well as in the gunfight on September 14 in the Sildili forest of the same district.
During the Sildili operation, another prominent Maoist, Mukhdev Yadav, who also had a bounty of Rs 5 lakh, was killed, while Nagina escaped using the forest cover.
Intelligence reports indicated that Nagina had been hiding in and around Lucknow for several days. The UP ATS had been surveilling his activities and ultimately arrested him on Tuesday.
Officials disclosed that he was consistently armed with an AK-47 and played a pivotal role in planning assaults for the TSPC.
Prashant Prasad, in charge of Palamu’s Chhatarpur police station, confirmed receiving news of his apprehension.
“We are in the process of gathering comprehensive information. His interrogation will be crucial for dismantling the Maoist network and thwarting their future schemes,” he stated.
Security agencies are currently interrogating him to extract intelligence regarding TSPC operations, connections with other Maoist factions, and potential hideouts of their members in Jharkhand and neighboring states.