NIA Apprehends Major Suspect in Jharkhand CPI (Maoist) Conspiracy Investigation

New Delhi, Jan 4 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has captured a significant suspect linked to the Jharkhand CPI (Maoist) conspiracy, as confirmed by an official statement issued on Saturday.

Bachha Singh, also known as Bachha Babu Singh, who resides in Govindpur (B) in the Bokaro district of Jharkhand, was taken into custody on Friday. Singh is named in FIR RC-03/2023/NIA/RNC, which pertains to this case.

The NIA assumed control of the investigation from the Anandpur police in August 2023, invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act) and the Criminal Law Amendment (CLA) Act. During their examination, the NIA identified Singh as the Secretary of the Majdoor Sanghatan Samiti (MSS), an organization that has been banned by the Jharkhand government under the CLA Act.

According to the NIA, “The accused was actively involved with the proscribed terrorist organization CPI (Maoist) and its senior leadership. He played a role in gathering funds to promote the group's ideology and enhance its operations in Jharkhand and beyond.”

The genesis of the case dates back to July 2022 when three CPI (Maoist) operatives were arrested in Chaibasa. These operatives were reportedly en route to meet Misir Besra, a member of the Polit Bureau of CPI (Maoist), carrying correspondence from Maoist leaders Lajim Ansari and Saurabh. The local police initially documented the case, which the NIA later re-registered in June 2024 for further inquiry.

In addition, the NIA executed raids on Saturday at eight locations within Bokaro district, Jharkhand, linked to a February 2024 Maoist assault on security forces. These searches focused on properties associated with suspects and overground workers (OGWs) aligned with the Maoists.

Items confiscated during these operations comprised digital devices (including laptops, mobile phones, and memory cards), SIM cards, diaries, and other incriminating documents. The NIA reports that the suspects offered logistical support and enabled the extortion of funds for the CPI (Maoist).

This February 2024 incident involved an assault on security personnel in the forested area of Chatro-Chatti in Bokaro. It was reported that Maoist commanders and 15-20 operatives assembled at Sundari Pahari to strategize criminal activities, recruit young individuals, and extort money while planning the attack, as noted in the NIA statement.

On receiving intelligence, a coordinated team from Jharkhand Police and CRPF initiated a search and combing operation. Despite the Maoists opening fire, they escaped into the thick forest cover. The operation led to the recovery of digital devices, Maoist literature, and other vital evidence.

The NIA's investigation into the matter is ongoing.