Ranchi: West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, bordering Odisha, once considered a stronghold of Maoists, has now been officially declared Naxal-free. This major breakthrough in the long-running fight against Maoism comes as four Maoists, including a zonal committee member with a Rs 10 lakh bounty, surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Chaibasa.
The four surrendered cadres of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) were identified as Saluka Kaim, a zonal committee member carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh; Kodomuni Koda, carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh; and cadres Pinki Purty and Anita Tamsoy.
Their surrender took place at the Chaibasa Police Centre in the presence of Kolhan DIG Anuranjan Kispotta and CRPF officers, as part of Operation Navjeevan 111. During the ceremony, DIG Kispotta honoured the four by draping shawls over them. Superintendent of Police Amit Renu, along with personnel from the CRPF and district police force, was also present.
West Singhbhum Declared Naxal-Free
This surrender marks a significant milestone in the security forces’ campaign to eliminate Maoist influence from the Saranda, Kolhan, and Porahat forest divisions.
ऑपरेशन नवजीवन-III | पश्चिमी सिंहभूम
आज दिनांक 11.08.2026 को कोल्हान, पोड़ाहाट एवं सारंडा के सुदूर जंगल-पहाड़ी क्षेत्रों में सक्रिय 04 नक्सलियों ने हथियारों सहित DIG Kolhan एवं DIG CRPF के समक्ष आत्मसमर्पण कर हिंसा का रास्ता छोड़कर मुख्यधारा में लौटने का निर्णय लिया। pic.twitter.com/tHpgdaDoM0
— Chaibasa Police (@ChaibasaPolice) August 11, 2026
DIG Anuranjan Kispotta stated that the district police have successfully made these areas completely free of active Maoist presence. According to police records, there are now no active Maoists left in West Singhbhum who need to be arrested or persuaded to surrender. However, the DIG noted that around six to seven Maoists are still believed to be active in the neighbouring East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts.
He appealed to the remaining rebels to abandon violence and return to the mainstream. He warned that those who continue armed activities would face arrest, and if they engage security forces in an encounter, necessary action would be taken in accordance with the situation.
Landmine Threat Persists in Saranda
Despite these significant gains, security forces continue to face the challenge posed by landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Saranda forest region.
Kispotta stated that security personnel are conducting sustained operations to locate, identify, and neutralise landmines planted in the forests. Making the area completely secure remains a major priority, he added.
Alongside security operations, the administration and security forces are also focusing on development, improved policing, and strengthening the connection between the government and local communities. According to the DIG, sustained police operations have severely weakened the Maoist organisation in the region. With its leadership and operational network under pressure, the rebels have been forced to retreat, disperse, and increasingly surrender to return to mainstream society.
52 Maoists Surrendered in One Year
The latest surrender is part of a broader trend recorded by the security forces over the past year. From September 2025 to August 2026, a total of 52 Maoists surrendered, while 18 were killed in encounters and 29 were arrested, according to police figures.
Security forces also recovered 29 weapons and 9,214 rounds of ammunition, in addition to other Maoist-related materials. A total of 15 IEDs were successfully detected and neutralised during operations.
In West Singhbhum alone, 10 Maoists surrendered in 2025. In 2026, 25 cadres laid down their arms under Operation Navjeevan-I, while another 14 surrendered under Operation Navjeevan-II.
Two-and-a-Half Decades of Maoist Stronghold Begins to Collapse
Recent developments mark a dramatic shift for Saranda, a region that has served as a major Maoist stronghold for nearly two and a half decades. A combination of an aggressive security strategy, sustained operations, and development initiatives has gradually transformed the security landscape.
Since March 2025, security forces have intensified anti-Maoist operations in Saranda and adjoining areas. Continuous search and combing operations, combined with the establishment of nearly 20 permanent security camps at strategic locations, have significantly disrupted the Maoists’ organisational and logistical networks.
Saranda’s experience demonstrates that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security operations alone. Roads, schools, healthcare, employment opportunities, and public confidence are equally crucial in establishing a durable peace environment.
Kumdih Encounter a Major Turning Point
The Kumdih forest encounter on January 22, 2026, proved to be a major turning point in the campaign. According to security forces, 17 Maoists, including Anal Da, a leader with a one-crore-rupee bounty on his head, were killed in the operation.
Following the encounter, the Maoist organisation came under severe pressure and was pushed onto the defensive.
Unable to engage security forces directly, Maoists increasingly relied on IEDs and explosives in forest areas. These devices also posed a serious threat to villagers and livestock. Repeated incidents involving explosives further alienated local communities and contributed to a sharp decline in the Maoists’ traditional support base.
Civic Action Helps Rebuild Public Trust
Security forces have also expanded their engagement with local communities through CRPF civic action programs. These initiatives have helped bridge the gap between villagers and security personnel. In areas where security forces were once primarily associated with armed operations, personnel have increasingly become involved in community welfare activities. These programs have included health camps, free distribution of medicines, educational materials, and sports equipment for schoolchildren, as well as assistance with everyday needs in remote villages.
Such initiatives have helped strengthen public confidence in the security forces and fostered greater cooperation between local communities and the administration.
From Neglect to Development
The roots of Maoist violence in the region have long been linked to decades of inadequate development and limited government presence.
The violent phase intensified after Maoists entered the area on November 25, 2001. Recognising that security measures needed to be accompanied by development, the government subsequently introduced initiatives such as the Saranda Action Plan.
Under the plan, an investment of around Rs 248 crore was proposed to extend basic infrastructure and welfare services to 56 villages, benefiting thousands of families through housing, solar equipment, roads, and healthcare facilities.
Today, the transformation of Saranda is increasingly seen as a combination of sustained security operations and development efforts. With Maoist influence substantially weakened, the region is gradually moving towards greater connectivity, improved public services, and a more secure future.
