Significant Victory: Jharkhand DGP Commends Elimination of Eight Maoists, Including High-Value Leader
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Synopsis
Jharkhand's anti-Maoist operations achieved a significant milestone with the killing of eight insurgents, including a top commander with a Rs 1 crore bounty. DGP Anurag Gupta declared it a major success and warned Maoists to surrender or face dire consequences.
Key Takeaways
- Eight Maoists killed in encounter at Lugu Hill.
- Top commander Prayag Manjhi had a Rs 1 crore bounty.
- Security forces recovered multiple firearms from the site.
- Significant progress in anti-Maoist operations in Jharkhand.
- Continued efforts to eliminate Naxal presence in the state.
Ranchi/Bokaro, April 21 (NationPress) In a significant achievement in the ongoing anti-Maoist initiatives in Jharkhand, eight insurgents were neutralized during an encounter with security forces at Lugu Hill in the Lalpania area of Bokaro district early on Monday, as reported by officials.
Among the deceased rebels was Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, a prominent Maoist figure with a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Also among the casualties were Arvind Yadav, with a reward of Rs 25 lakh, and Saheb Ram Manjhi, who had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh.
Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta hailed the encounter as the most significant success in the state’s intensified campaign against Maoists.
During a press conference at the police headquarters in Ranchi, the DGP stated: "A jawan was martyred in a Maoist attack in Chaibasa the previous day. In retaliation, our forces took down eight Maoists -- the enemies of society and the system -- in a single operation. We will ensure that our martyrs' sacrifices are not in vain."
He issued a strong warning to Maoists to either surrender or face similar outcomes. "Our focus will now be on completely clearing Chaibasa of Naxal (Maoist) presence. Very soon, Jharkhand will be entirely Naxal-free," he asserted.
Detailing the operation, the DGP mentioned that a joint team of the CRPF and Jharkhand Police initiated a search operation in the forests surrounding Lugu Hill and its foothills under Lalpania police station early Monday morning. "At around 4 a.m., Maoists hiding near Soso Tola in Chorgaon opened fire. The security personnel retaliated, leading to a fierce gun battle. Eight bodies were later recovered during the search operation," he said.
Security forces confiscated four INSAS rifles, an SLR, and a revolver from the site, he added.
Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek, hailing from Dalbudha village under Tundi police station in Dhanbad district, was a Central Committee member of the CPI-Maoist. He was active in the Parasnath and Jhumra hill regions and had a network that extended to Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and West Bengal. More than 60 cases were filed against him across Giridih, Bokaro, Chaibasa, and Dhanbad districts. In 2023, he was entrusted with responsibilities in the Parasnath and Jhumra hills.
His spouse, Jaya Manjhi, also had a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. She was apprehended by Giridih police from a hospital in Dhanbad on July 16, 2024, and subsequently passed away during treatment at the RIMS on September 21, 2024.
So far in 2025, a total of 13 Maoists have been killed in encounters in Jharkhand. According to Jharkhand Police data, 244 Maoists were arrested in 2024, and nine were eliminated in encounters.
Additionally, 24 Maoists -- including four zonal commanders, one sub-general commander, and three area commanders -- surrendered and returned to the mainstream.
