Why Did Nine Ultras Surrender with a Cache of Weapons in Jharkhand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Historic Mass Surrender: Nine JJMP militants surrendered simultaneously, marking a significant event in Jharkhand's history.
- Arms Cache: The surrendered militants handed over five AK-47 rifles and hundreds of cartridges.
- Significant Bounties: Many of the surrendered militants had substantial rewards on their heads.
- Impact on JJMP: Police claim this event has virtually eliminated the JJMP’s presence in Latehar.
- Successful Operations: Sustained anti-Maoist operations have led to a notable drop in extremist activities.
Latehar (Jharkhand), Sep 1 (NationPress) - In an unprecedented event, nine militants from the banned Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) surrendered to police and security forces in Latehar district on Monday, as reported by officials. Among those who surrendered were four sub-zonal commanders, each with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh, and another with a reward of Rs 3 lakh.
These individuals were sought in numerous cases linked to Left-Wing Extremism.
Officials noted that this marks the first instance in the history of Jharkhand where such a significant number of JJMP militants have surrendered simultaneously.
Along with their surrender, the militants also relinquished a vast arsenal of weapons, including five AK-47 rifles, various other firearms, and hundreds of live cartridges.
The police asserted that this surrender effectively signifies the near eradication of the JJMP presence from the Latehar region.
Among those who laid down their arms was the JJMP’s top zonal commander, Ravindra Yadav, who is facing 14 charges and has a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. He surrendered with two AK-47s, three rifles, and 1,241 cartridges.
Another sub-zonal commander, Akhilesh Ravindra Yadav, who has 10 cases against him and carries a Rs 5 lakh reward, surrendered with an AK-47 and 256 cartridges.
Other notable sub-zonal commanders who surrendered include Baldev Ganjhu (nine cases, Rs 5 lakh reward), Mukesh Ram Yadav (21 cases, Rs 5 lakh reward), and Pawan alias Ram Prasad (with a Rs 3 lakh bounty).
Area commanders Dhruv, who is wanted in three cases, surrendered with a rifle, while fellow area commanders Shravan Singh surrendered with an AK-47, a rifle, and 131 cartridges. Mukesh Ganjhu also submitted an AK-47 and 154 cartridges.
The surrender ceremony, held at Latehar Police Headquarters, was graced by CRPF IG Saket Singh, IG Operations Michaelraj S, Palamu IG Sunil Bhaskar, DIG Naushad Alam, Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav, and senior CRPF officials.
The police attributed this mass surrender to ongoing anti-Maoist operations and the rehabilitation policy of the state government.
In recent months, several high-ranking JJMP commanders, including Lovelesh Ganjhu (Rs 5 lakh reward) and Pramod, Palendra, and Tulsi Ganjhu (each with Rs 1 lakh rewards) have also surrendered.
Since January 2025, the Latehar police have apprehended 75 Maoists and conducted numerous successful operations.
On May 24, JJMP leader Pappu Lohara (Rs 10 lakh reward) and Sudesh Ganjhu alias Prabhat (Rs 5 lakh reward) were killed in an encounter.
Two days later, on May 26, sub-zonal commander Manish Yadav (Rs 5 lakh reward) was neutralized, while another senior cadre, Kundan (Rs 10 lakh reward), was arrested.