In three separate incidents across the State on Sunday, four landmines along with some Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were recovered from two districts of latehar and Chatra districts, an encounter between the security forces and PlFI cadres took place in Simdega and two hardcore Maoists surrendered in Chatra under Operation Nai Disha (OND).

According to police, four landmines each weighing 30 kg were recovered from Tubnaid River in latehar district during anti-Maoist operations in latehar district, around 130 km from the state headquarters Ranchi.  Another landmine weighing 10 kg was also found in Chatra district. Police said that the landmines and IEDs were planted to target security personnel.

In Chatra two hardcore Maoists – Sub-Zonal Commander MunnuYadav alias Mutar Ji and Area Commander Sanjay Paswan alias Chotu surrendered before STF IG Praveen Singh at Police line in Chatra under Operation Nai Disha. Chatra DC Amit Kumar, SP Anjali Kumar, ASP Ashwinin Kumar Mishra and several other police officials were also present during the programme.

The surrendered Maoists revealed that the women of the organization were largely exploited by the top leaders who live in the splendid houses in different top class cities. 

“The Naxal leaders induct the poor and innocent villager after thorough brainwashing and also threatening of their lives and keep them away from their families for several months. The poor tribal women are also tortured by the rebels in the name of giving them justice,” said Munnu Yadav.

Yadav admitted that he got inducted into the organization in the year 1989 after getting influenced by Area Commander of Pratappur Area Committee and had been presently working in the capacity of Sub-Zonal Commander of Zonal Commander Arvind Mukhia.

Sanjay Paswan on the other hand, got inducted after being convinced by Area Commander Ganesh Ganjhu and was active in the group of Munnu Yadav.  Yadav has admitted his hands in over six Naxal related incidents.

In a separate incident on the borders of Jharkhand and Odisha near Bongera village under Bansjor OP in Simdega district, a brief encounter took place between security forces and PlFI rebels where no one got injured from any side. According to Simdega SP, one country made rifle, five motorcycles, some porters along with several other articles of daily use were recovered from the spot.

Simdega SP Rajiv Ranjan claimed that at least one rebel was injured during the encounter, after which intensive search operation has been launched to trace him. There were at least 7-8 PlFI cadres in the group. Police sources also revealed that the group was of sub-zonal commander Mahesh Singh.