Top Police officers honour Chaibasa heroes after major Naxal encounter

Jamshedpur: In a significant development in the ongoing battle against Naxal insurgency, senior officials from Jharkhand Police arrived in West Singhbhum, Chaibasa, to honour and commend the bravery of police officers and personnel involved in a recent successful encounter. The ceremony, held at the Police Center in Chaibasa, marked the recognition of efforts that have led to the substantial weakening of Naxal activities in the region.

The Director General and Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand,  Ajay Kumar Singh, IPS, accompanied by other top officials, arrived at the Chaibasa helipad at Tata College, where they were warmly received by  Ashutosh Shekhar, IPS, Superintendent of Police, West Singhbhum.

The distinguished guests included: Dr. Sanjay Anand Lathekar, IPS, Additional Director General of Police (Operations), Jharkhand, Akhilesh Kumar Jha, IPS, Inspector General of Police, South Eastern Region, Ranchi, Homekar Amal Venukant, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Operations), Jharkhand,  Indrajit Mahatha, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jharkhand Jaguar (STF),  S. Karthik, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Special Branch, Jharkhand,  S. K. Linda, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF and D. N. Lal, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), CRPF, Chaibasa

The encounter, which took place on June 17, 2024, near the hilly and forested areas around Lipunga, Kulasai, Jhirjhor, and Raika in the border regions of Gua and Jetiya police stations, resulted in the death of a high-value Naxalite with a reward of Rs. 5 lakhs. This operation was lauded as a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to curb Naxalite activities in the region.

In a formal address at the Police Center in Chaibasa,  Ajay Kumar Singh, IPS, expressed his profound appreciation for the dedication and courage demonstrated by the officers and personnel of Chaibasa Police, Jharkhand Jaguar, CoBra 209 BTR, and CRPF 26 BTR. He emphasized the importance of continuing these efforts to maintain pressure on Naxalite groups and called upon active Naxalites to surrender and reintegrate into society under the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Since 2022, the police force has conducted 5,972 operations against the banned Naxalite organizations CPI (Maoist) and PLFI in the Chaibasa district. These operations have resulted in the arrest of 169 Naxalites (116 Maoists and 53 PLFI members) and the recovery of 53 weapons and 409 PMCs. Six Naxalites have been killed during encounters, marking a significant reduction in Naxal activities.

Additionally, 17 camps have been established in the Kolhan/Saranda area, including 13 permanent and 4 temporary camps. Notably, the so-called main headquarters of the banned Naxalite organization CPI (Maoist) in Sarjamburu was dismantled in 2024. New camps in Tirilposi, Baliba, and Sarjamburu have further strengthened the security framework in the region.

The police have been actively promoting the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, which has seen considerable success. From 2022 to the present, 26 Naxalites have surrendered, influenced by the policy’s attractive and supportive measures. Campaigns to raise awareness through posters and banners in local languages have been instrumental in these efforts.

Naxalites Killed in Encounter on June 17, 2024: 1. Zonal Committee member Kande Haenhaga alias Govind Nagduwar alias Dirisum, son of Sargeya Haenhaga, Thalkobad, Police Station Chotanagra, Chaibasa. 2. Sub-divisional Committee member Singrai alias Manoj Kunjam, Jaigarh, Sukma, Chhattisgarh. 3. Squad member Jonga, son of Ichagoda, Police Station Gailkera, Chaibasa. 4. Squad member Suya alias Manta Devgam alias Munda, son of Sinnu Devgam, Sarjamburu, Chaibasa. 5. Squad member Sapni Hansda, wife of Tiger alias Pandu Hansda, Hatnaburu, Police Station Chotanagra, Chaibasa.

Naxalites Arrested: 1. Area Commander Tiger alias Pandu Hansda, son of Vishu Hansda, Hatnaburu, Police Station Chotanagra, Chaibasa. 2. Squad member Bateri Banra, son of Kande Banra, Sarja Emburu, Police Station Tonto, Chaibasa.

The ceremony concluded with a detailed discussion on the future strategy for anti-Naxal operations. Senior officers commended the efforts of the Superintendent of Police, West Singhbhum,  Ashutosh Shekhar, IPS, and his team. The event underscored the importance of continued collaboration and vigilance to ensure the safety and security of the region.