West Singhbhum police have reported a significant breakthrough in their anti-Naxal operations within the Saranda forests, leading to the arrest of two high-profile Naxalites. The individuals are linked to over 40 Naxal incidents, and authorities recovered weapons and other materials from them.
Details of the arrest identify the Naxalites as Sandeep alias Hidima Padeyam, a sub-zonal committee member from Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, and Shiva Bodra alias Shibu, an area committee member from Jojodih, Saraikela. The police seized a pistol, 11 live cartridges, two magazines, two walkie-talkies, detonators, and IED-making materials.
Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan of West Singhbhum emphasized on Sunday that the arrest signifies a major step forward in the ongoing operation against Naxalites, with continuous efforts underway to maintain peace in the region.
On August 30, the police received intelligence about a planned operation by top leaders of the banned Maoist organization, including Anal alias Ramesh, Misir Besra, and Ajay Mahato, within the Saranda area. Consequently, a joint team was assembled under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) Paras Rana, consisting of Chaibasa police and the Cobra 209 Battalion.
The joint team conducted a search operation in the jungles of the Jaraikela police station area, which led to the capture of the two Naxalites.
Further interrogation unveiled disturbing facts. The arrested individuals confessed that Anal alias Ramesh, a central committee member, had been sexually exploiting female members of the women’s squad. Moreover, illegal abortions were carried out on several female members.
Sandeep alias Hidima Padeyam is implicated in over 30 serious criminal cases in Jharkhand. The charges include murder, attacks on police, the Arms Act, UAPA, and CLA Act. He has been active since 2015, taking part in several Naxal operations within the state.