West Singhbhum Police have achieved a significant victory in their ongoing operation against Naxalites within the Saranda forests. Two prominent Naxalites, implicated in more than 40 Naxal activities, have been arrested. Authorities also seized weapons and other incriminating items during the operation.
The arrested individuals are identified as Sandeep alias Hidima Padeyam, a sub-zonal committee member hailing from Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, and Shiva Bodra alias Shibu, an area committee member from Jojodih, Saraikela. The police recovered a pistol, 11 live cartridges, two magazines, two walkie-talkies, detonators, and IED-making materials during the arrest.
West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan confirmed on Sunday that the operation is a major success in the ongoing efforts against Naxalites, with further actions planned to maintain peace in the region.
Intelligence reports received on August 30 indicated that top leaders of the banned Maoist organization, including Anal alias Ramesh, Misir Besra, and Ajay Mahato, were planning a major operation in the Saranda area. Acting on this information, a joint team was formed under the command of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Paras Rana, comprising Chaibasa police and the Cobra 209 Battalion.
The search operation in the Jaraikela police station area resulted in the capture of both Naxalites.
Interrogation of the arrested Naxalites revealed disturbing details. They confessed that Anal alias Ramesh, a central committee member, had been sexually abusing female members of the women’s squad. Additionally, several illegal abortions were performed on these women.
Sandeep alias Hidima Padeyam is facing more than 30 serious criminal cases across various Jharkhand police stations. The charges include murder, attacks on police, explosions, violations of the Arms Act, UAPA, and CLA Act. He has been actively involved in Naxal activities since 2015, carrying out numerous incidents in the state.