15 Lakh Rupee Bounty Naxal Leader Martin Kerketta Eliminated in Gumla Encounter

The Jharkhand Police, aiming to rid the state of Naxalism and extremism, have been conducting extensive operations in affected areas. In a recent operation, Gumla district police successfully neutralized Martin Kerketta, the supreme commander of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), in an encounter within the Paharhi forest area under Kamdara police station. A reward of 15 lakh rupees was placed on Kerketta’s head by the Jharkhand Police. The encounter was spearheaded by the district SP Harish Bin Jama, the Basia SDPO, and their team, acting on intelligence regarding the presence of Kerketta and other PLFI members in the Paharhi forest. Following the intelligence, a search operation was launched, during which the Naxalites initiated gunfire against the police. The ensuing exchange resulted in Kerketta’s death, while other extremists escaped, taking advantage of the darkness. Some Naxalites sustained injuries. The Gumla police have since cordoned off the area and are conducting an intensive search operation, given the presence of several Naxalites during the encounter. Following the arrest of Dinesh Gope, who carried a bounty of 25 lakhs, Martin Kerketta had taken control of the PLFI organization. He used the PLFI’s name to create terror, and he was involved in extorting money from coal businessmen, contractors, and other traders. Kerketta aimed to expand the PLFI beyond Jharkhand’s borders, establishing committees in neighboring states such as Bihar, Odisha, Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. He was involved in extortion and various criminal activities, with complete command over the PLFI. Kerketta was also implicated in the Kamdara massacre in Gumla, although he survived a prior encounter. Earlier, on July 26, the Gumla police eliminated three Naxalites, including Dilip Lohra, in an encounter in the Lavadag forest area. The killed Naxalites, including Dilip Lohra, were affiliated with the Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad (JJMP) organization, with Dilip Lohra serving as the sub-zonal commander.