PLFI Supremo Martin Kerketta Killed in Gumla Encounter: A Look at the Naxal Leader

In the ongoing effort to eradicate Naxalism and extremism from Jharkhand, security forces continue to conduct large-scale operations. Recently, the Gumla district police successfully neutralized Martin Kerketta, the supreme commander of the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), in an encounter within the Paharhi forest, under the jurisdiction of the Kamdara police station. A 15 lakh rupee bounty was placed on Kerketta by the Jharkhand Police. The encounter was led by the district’s SP, Harish Bin Jama, the Basia SDPO, and their team. The operation was based on intelligence reports indicating Kerketta and his group’s presence in the Paharhi forest. Following the tip-off, a search operation was launched. The Naxalites opened fire on the police team, prompting a retaliatory response from the security forces, resulting in Kerketta’s death. Other extremists escaped in the ensuing chaos, and some were injured. The Gumla police have since sealed off the area and are conducting an intensive search, as several Naxalites were present during the encounter. Following the arrest of Dinesh Gope, who carried a bounty of 25 lakhs, Martin Kerketta had taken over the PLFI command. He exploited the PLFI’s reputation to instill fear and extorted money from coal businessmen, contractors, and traders. Kerketta was actively expanding the PLFI, establishing committees in states bordering Jharkhand, including Bihar, Odisha, Bengal, and Chhattisgarh. He was involved in extortion and other criminal activities. He also faced accusations of involvement in the Kamdara massacre in Gumla, although he had survived a previous encounter. Before this incident, on July 26, the Gumla police had killed three Naxalites, including Dilip Lohra, in an encounter in the Lavadag forest area. The three deceased Naxalites, including Dilip Lohra, were associated with the Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad (JJMP) organization, with Dilip Lohra serving as a sub-zonal commander.