16 Maoists, with six carrying ₹39 lakh bounty, surrender before Jharkhand Police
Six of 16 Maoists with 39 Lakh Bounty Surrender in Jharkhand
Bharatmorningnews.com – Ranchi witnessed a historic moment in the state’s counter-insurgency operations as 16 Maoists with six carrying 39 lakh in combined bounties surrendered before Jharkhand Police on Tuesday. This remarkable development marks one of the most significant surrenders in recent years, demonstrating the effectiveness of the state’s peace-building initiatives and the growing disillusionment among Maoist cadres with the armed struggle. The surrender ceremony, held at a police station in Ranchi, drew attention from media outlets and security officials who praised the coordinated effort that brought these fighters back to mainstream society.
High-Profile Leaders Among Surrendering Maoists
DGP Tadasha Mishra expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as a testament to the police force’s unwavering commitment to peace. She highlighted that the surrender of 16 Maoists with six carrying 39 lakh in rewards represents a crucial victory in the ongoing campaign against extremism. The DGP emphasized that such surrenders not only weaken the Maoist infrastructure but also provide an opportunity for these individuals to rebuild their lives with government support and rehabilitation programs.
“The Jharkhand Police remain dedicated to eliminating both extremism and criminal activities across the state. We are working steadily toward creating a cleaner and safer environment for all citizens.”
Among the most notable figures to surrender was Santosh Mahto, widely known as Basudev Da and Dilip. This regional committee member of the banned Communist Party of India (CPI) had been a fugitive in 128 separate cases filed across multiple districts in Jharkhand. Authorities confirmed that he carried a substantial ₹15 lakh reward on his head and was directly implicated in an IED explosion on March 1 that severely injured a Cobra battalion soldier near the border areas of Manoharpur, Chotnagar, and Jhariakela.
Chandan Lohra, serving as a zonal committee member of the proscribed Maoist group, also joined the surrender. Wanted in 78 cases, he was carrying a ₹10 lakh bounty. The contingent included two sub-zonal committee members—Anil Turi, alias Ujjwal, and Sukhlal Birjiyan, alias Akela—each holding rewards of ₹5 lakh. Additionally, area committee members Sudesh Honhaga, alias Sonaram Honhaga, and Risiv surrendered, both with ₹2 lakh bounties. Zonal committee member Santosh Manjhi, alias Jagabandhu, completed the leadership contingent that came forward.
Women Fighters and Weapons Handover
The surrendering group was not limited to male fighters, as it included five female members who had been actively participating in Maoist operations. Two sub-zonal committee members and two area committee functionaries were also part of the contingent that approached police authorities, signaling a broad-based movement within the Maoist ranks. During the formal surrender ceremony, the fighters handed over six INSAS rifles, two AK-47 weapons, 38 magazines, and 1,562 cartridges to the police officials, demonstrating their genuine intention to leave behind their armed struggle.
The DGP described the event as a substantial achievement for state law enforcement agencies, noting that the recovery of weapons and ammunition would significantly enhance operational capabilities. The surrendered Maoists were promised rehabilitation assistance, including financial support, housing, and employment opportunities through government schemes designed for former combatants.
According to official police records, the broader anti-Maoist campaign in Jharkhand during 2026 has yielded impressive results that reflect the state’s comprehensive approach. A total of 93 red rebels have been apprehended through various operations, 45 have voluntarily surrendered, and 22 were killed in encounters with security forces throughout the year. These statistics underscore the multi-pronged strategy that combines military operations with peace initiatives to gradually dismantle Maoist strongholds in the region.