Chaibasa: Once considered an impregnable bastion of Left-Wing Extremism, West Singhbhum district has witnessed a decisive turnaround in the fight against Maoists, with security forces neutralising 28 Naxalites and arresting 183 active cadres over the past three years, according to official police data.
The sustained crackdown has been driven by Operation Meghaburu, a coordinated anti-Naxal drive involving the CRPF’s elite CoBRA unit, Jharkhand Jaguar, and West Singhbhum District Police, focusing primarily on the Saranda and Kolhan forest belts.
Major Blow to CPI (Maoist)
The operation reached a significant milestone this week with the killing of top Maoist commander Patiram Majhi alias ‘Anal Da’, one of the most dreaded extremists in eastern India. Carrying a cumulative bounty of ₹2.35 crore and wanted in nearly 150 cases, his elimination—along with 16 other Maoists in the Saranda forests—is being described by officials as a turning point in Jharkhand’s anti-Naxal operations.
Senior police officers said the encounter has effectively dismantled the command and operational structure of the CPI (Maoist) in the region.
Three Years of Relentless Pressure
According to official records, the last three years have seen:
- 28 Maoists killed in armed encounters
- 183 arrests, including several area commanders and reward-carrying cadres
- Large recoveries of IEDs, automatic weapons, detonators, explosives and Maoist documents
- Officials noted that multiple attacks on polling booths, road projects and security installations were foiled due to timely intelligence-based operations.
Forward Bases Choke Maoist Movement
Security agencies have also focused on territorial dominance, establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in deep forest areas such as Tonto, Kuira and adjoining pockets, sharply restricting Maoist movement and supply routes.
“The backbone of the Maoist organisation in West Singhbhum has been broken,” a senior police official said. “This success reflects the courage of our jawans and precise intelligence coordination. Remaining cadres should surrender and avail benefits under the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.”
Development Gains Momentum
With the security situation improving, the district administration has accelerated developmental activities in previously inaccessible areas. Road construction, mobile tower installations, and government outreach initiatives like ‘Aapki Yojana, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar’ have begun reaching remote villages long cut off due to IED threats.
While security forces remain on alert against possible retaliatory attempts, officials believe West Singhbhum is closer than ever to shedding its tag as a Maoist epicentre, marking a major success in Jharkhand’s long battle against Left-Wing Extremism.
