Ranchi: In a noteworthy development, a hardcore Maoist named in around 50 cases has surrendered before the police in Jharkhand’s Latehar district, said officials.
Lovlesh Ganjhu alias Lavkesh Ganjhu, sub zonal commander of the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP), a splinter group of CPI (Maoist) has turned himself before the police and surrender on July 15, informed police.
The surrender took place before the senior official of the police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and SSB under ‘Nayi Disha’ campaign at Latehar. Ganjhu had been active in Maoist activities in Latehar and other adjoining districts for several years.
“Ganjhu was involved in several encounters and named in around 50 cases registered against him in Latehar and other nearby districts. He was active as sub zonal commander and carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Latehar, Kumar Gaurav.
The SP added that continuous campaign against the Maoists in Jharkhand have resulted in successful encounters, arrest and surrender of Naxal cadres.
“A total of 10 Maoists of separate groups have so far surrendered before the police in 2025 alone which reflects the significance of Nayi Disha policy of the government. In addition to the surrender, around 72 Maoists have been arrested by the police since January 2025,” he added.
“This is the outcome of continuous action being taken against Maoists. Three top Maoists, including the JJMP supremo were also killed in encounters. We are also taking action against other Naxals by confiscating their properties,” said the SP.
Replying to a query, the official noted that Union Government has already set a target to eradicate Naxal-insurgency by March 2026 and police in Jharkhand is on track to eliminate the remaining extremists.
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Recent encounters of Maoists in Jharkhand
It is noteworthy that the security forces have amped up anti-Maoist operations in affected areas of the state lately.
Earlier a team of Jharkhand Jaguar and police gunned-down a hardcore Maoist in an encounter in Palamu district on May 26. The gun battle broke out near the Sitachuan area of Palamu, resulting in neutralisation of a hardcore Maoist commander Tulsi Bhuiyan. Several other Maoists were also injured in the gunfight.
Bhuiyan’s neutralisation comes days after security personnel gunned down another hardcore Maoist Manish Yadav in an encounter in Dauna area under the jurisdiction of Mauhadand police station of Latehar district.
Yadav, a cadre of the outlawed CPI-Maoist was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head. The security team during the operation also apprehended another hardcore Maoist Kundan Kherwar, carrying a reward of Rs 10 lakh.
In a notable success, security personnel on May 24 gunned down Pappu Lohra, chief of the JJMP. Lohra was killed along with a sub zonal commander in a gunfight lasting for hours.
A seasoned Maoist of the breakaway faction, Lohra was named in around 100 cases and carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head.
He was also named in a case related to murder of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deputy commandant. The Police also recovered arms and ammunition from the site of the gunfight.
It is worth mentioning here that only two districts of Jharkhand were included in the list of 18 most Maoist-affected districts released by the Union Government recently. Among the affected districts in the state are West Singhbhum which has been placed under the ‘most-affected’ category while Latehar was included in ‘other affected districts’ category.
