Prominent Maoist Leader Prayag Manjhi Among Eight Killed in Jharkhand
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a significant operation in Bokaro, security forces killed eight Maoists, including the top commander Prayag Manjhi, who had a bounty of Rs 1 crore. The encounter that began early in the morning is still ongoing, with rising casualty numbers. The authorities aim to eliminate Maoist presence in Jharkhand by 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Prayag Manjhi, a senior Maoist commander, was killed.
- The encounter took place in the Lugu hills of Bokaro.
- Eight Maoists have been confirmed dead so far.
- The operation involved the CRPF and local police.
- Authorities aim to make Jharkhand free of Maoists by 2025.
Bokaro, April 21 (NationPress) At least eight Maoists, including the high-ranking commander Prayag Manjhi -- who had a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head -- were killed during a fierce encounter with security forces in the Lugu hill region of Lalpania, Bokaro district, according to officials.
The clash commenced around 5:30 a.m. on Monday and is ongoing, with sporadic firing reported from both factions. Authorities indicated that the casualty count may rise.
Among the deceased was Prayag Manjhi, a member of the central committee of the CPI (Maoist). He was known by several aliases, including Vivek Da, Phuchna, Nago Manjhi, and Karan Da, and had been active in the Parasnath hills and adjacent areas of Giridih in recent months.
Originally from Dalbudha in Tundi (Dhanbad district), Manjhi was a significant Maoist figure wanted for involvement in over 100 incidents across Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Specifically, in Giridih district, he was wanted in more than 50 cases.
An official statement from the CRPF released on Monday morning initially confirmed the deaths of four Maoists, but that figure has since risen to eight.
The latest report stated: "The Central Reserve Police Force, in a coordinated operation with state police, eliminated four Maoists in the Lugu hills of Bokaro district this morning. One SLR and one INSAS rifle have been seized. There have been no reported injuries among security personnel thus far. Intermittent firing persists."
The combined team, which included members from the CRPF's 209 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Jharkhand Police, initiated a search operation in the wooded foothills of the Lalpania police station area when they were fired upon by Maoists. The forces returned fire, resulting in an ongoing gunfight.
So far this year, 13 Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Jharkhand. The police aim to render the state completely free of Maoists by the end of 2025.
According to data from the Jharkhand Police, 244 Maoists have been apprehended this year, with nine killed in encounters prior to this incident.
Furthermore, 24 Maoists -- including four zonal commanders, one sub-general commander, and three area commanders -- have surrendered and integrated into mainstream society.
