New Delhi, Feb 13 (NationPress) Six members of the outlawed terrorist organization People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI) have been sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment each by a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

This ruling, announced on Friday, represents a significant blow to the group’s operations in the area, particularly concerning terror financing, weapons acquisition, and extortion schemes that have impacted regions across central India.

The convicted individuals -- Gulab Kumar Yadav, Ravi Yadav, Rakesh Kumar Paswan, Pawan Kumar Yadav, Santosh Yadav, and Suresh Yadav -- were found guilty of multiple offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act.

The NIA Special Court had convicted them the previous week before imposing the ten-year sentence on Friday.

Investigations confirmed their active involvement as members of PLFI, a faction notorious for militancy, collecting levies from both businesses and locals, recruiting new members, and facilitating various criminal and terror-related activities.

Santosh Yadav, recognized as a sub-zonal commander for the Latehar and Chatra districts, played a pivotal role in recruiting members and orchestrating operations to maintain extortion and terror networks.

Suresh Yadav acted as an overground worker and logistics provider, facilitating the illegal transfer of weapons and ammunition to bolster the group’s militant activities.

The NIA's investigation uncovered that the accused acquired firearms through PLFI supply chains and engaged in violent acts intended to instill fear and generate revenue.

The legal case began in December 2018 when the Jharkhand Police, responding to specific intelligence about a PLFI meeting, executed a search operation in the Titir Mahua forest area near the Balumath police station in Latehar district.

Four of the accused were apprehended on-site, with authorities recovering two foreign-manufactured rifles, a significant cache of ammunition, SIM cards, and mobile devices.

The NIA assumed control of the case in June 2019 and submitted a charge sheet in February 2020 against all six individuals.

During the trial, the prosecution provided evidence demonstrating the organized terror, arms procurement, and extortion network managed by PLFI through these operatives.

This conviction highlights the ongoing efforts to dismantle Left-wing extremist groups that persist in exploiting remote and forested areas for extortion and recruitment.

While PLFI is smaller compared to larger organizations like CPI (Maoist), it remains active in parts of Jharkhand, targeting civilians, contractors, and government projects for levies.

Authorities believe that this sentencing will likely diminish the group’s operational capabilities in Latehar, Chatra, and adjacent districts, contributing to enhanced security in the region.