Top Woman Maoist Leader of Jharkhand Arrested in Kolkata​

Kolkata (IANS): In a major success for inter-state anti-insurgency efforts, the Kolkata Police arrested senior Maoist leader Sraddha Biswas alias Bela from the Cossipore area of North Kolkata on Tuesday. Bela, a member of the Maoist Regional Committee in Jharkhand, carried a ₹15 lakh reward for her arrest in Jharkhand.

A Decades-Long Criminal Record

Bela, originally a resident of Nadia district in West Bengal, had been active in the Maoist movement since 2005. While she was previously arrested in 2004-05 for a case in Belpahari, West Midnapore, she jumped bail and fled to Jharkhand.

According to Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand:

• Regional Activity: She was primarily active in Ghatshila, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum.
• Legal Charges: She faces more than 20 criminal cases in Jharkhand.
• Health Condition: The Commissioner noted that her physical health is currently poor.

Jharkhand Police are expected to travel to Kolkata soon to interrogate her. While the reason for her presence in Kolkata remains unclear, police believe she may have been seeking medical treatment or hiding in the city.

Surrender and Mainstream Return

The press conference at Alipore Bodyguard Lines also marked the surrender of another Maoist, Madhai Patra. A resident of Hooghly district, Patra had been active in Jharkhand since jumping bail in 2007.

• Mainstream Transition: Patra expressed a desire to lead a “normal life,” citing a shift in party norms and societal changes as his reasons for quitting.
• Rehabilitation: Commissioner Nand confirmed that Patra would receive assistance under the government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Scheme.
• A Call to Arms-Layers: During the conference, Patra urged his former colleagues to abandon the path of violence and return to society.