After 17 Years on the Run, Has Maoist Operative Naresh Ravidas Been Captured?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Naresh Ravidas arrested after 17 years on the run.
- Linked to major Maoist attacks in Bihar.
- Arrest may uncover hidden networks.
- Police intensifying operations against Left Wing Extremism.
- Important step in national security efforts.
Jamui, June 6 (NationPress) In a significant development in the battle against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), the Jamui Police in Bihar apprehended Naresh Ravidas, also known as Patal Ravidas, a notorious Maoist operative and former area commander, in Teliyadih village under the Jhajha police station on June 5, as reported by officials on Friday.
Ravidas had evaded capture for an astonishing 17 years and was wanted for numerous serious offenses, including lethal assaults in Munger (2005) and Banka (2008) districts.
According to Jamui SP Madan Kumar Anand, the arrest followed a tip-off regarding Ravidas' return to his hometown.
Swift action ensued, with a police team led by Jhajha SDPO Rajesh Kumar, Jhajha SHO Sanjay Kumar, and ASI Mukesh Kumar Singh, who surrounded the vicinity and took Ravidas into custody.
“We had received confidential information about Naresh Ravidas' return. The area was secured, leading to his arrest,” SP Anand stated.
Ravidas previously served as an area commander in the Banka sector of the Jharkhand-Bihar LWE zone and is linked to significant Maoist attacks.
On January 5, 2005, he was reportedly involved in the ambush of then Munger SP K.C. Surendra Babu and five other police personnel in the Bhimbandh forest. This deadly assault near Peshra village sent shockwaves throughout Bihar, revealing critical weaknesses in the state's security apparatus.
Surendra Babu and his team were returning from an anti-LWE operation when a landmine explosion killed them.
In 2008, Ravidas was implicated in a Maoist attack at Belhar village that resulted in the tragic deaths of five innocent civilians in Banka district.
Ravidas is facing a myriad of charges.
Following initial questioning, he was transferred to Banka jail under judicial custody on Friday.
Authorities believe his capture could reopen several dormant Maoist-related investigations and assist in uncovering concealed networks still active in the area.
SP Anand affirmed that the police would persist in ramping up operations against Maoist remnants in the border territories of Bihar and Jharkhand, emphasizing the need for intelligence gathering and the dismantling of support systems.