Jharkhand DGP Niraj Sinha on Monday felicitated some senior cops and constables of Jharkhand police for eliminating Sanichar Surin, a dreaded and illusive rebel of banned naxal outfit PLFI whom security forces gunned down during an encounter on Friday night under Gudri police station area of West Singhbhum district.
Wanted in 84 cases, this 45 years old PLFI zonal commander was carrying Rs 10 lakh cash prize on his head. This has come as a huge blow to PLFI chief Dinesh Gope who always has a close shave during encounters.
“Uska bhi number ayega (his turn too will come),” the DGP said when asked as to what helps Gope's fate or flawed strategy of police.
The DGP said that rebels are left with two options either surrender or face bullets as luck will not favour them always.
Over two dozen officials and personnel were felicitated whom the DGP also praised for their exemplary courage and accurate planning to conduct the operation. Those who were felicitated are Ashutosh Shekhar (SP Khunti), Shivani Tiwari (SP of SIB), Prashant Anand (SP Latehar), Ramesh Kumar (ASP Operation Khunti), Om Prakash Tiwari (SDPO Torpa), Digvijay Singh (Inspector Torpa), Roshan Kumar Singh (ASI Rania), Sandeep Kumar (ASI Rania), besides constable Bulu Bhagat, Chandan Kumar, Sachendra Singh, Ramadhar Singh, Manoj Kumar Ram, Thanku Oraon, Umesh Pradhan, Umesh Mahto, Lalit Singh, Anand Kumar, Chandan Kumar, Sakaldeep Kumar, Mantu Pradhan, Anup Lakra, Naresh Chandra Bodra and Durga Oraon. All of them were part of the combat team that had laid siege around rebels.
Besides, the DGP also felicitated DIG of Ranchi zone Pankaj Kamboj and DIG of STF Anoop Birtharay who were monitoring the entire operation.
Notably in the last one week this is the second successful anti-naxal operation of Jharkhand police and CRPF where security forces gunned down top ranking rebels.
Few days back security forces had shot dead notorious regional committee member of CPI (Maoist) Budheshwar Oraon in the Kurumgarh forest of Gumla district in Jharkhand.
Named in 103 henious cases in four districts of Jharkhand — Gumla (81), Simdega (16), Lohardaga (4) and Garhwa (2) he was carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head. He was an expert on landmines.
Sources in the police explained some reasons if Jharkhand Police and CRPF have improved strike rates against rebels. DGP has given a free hand to SP, IG and DIG to take result oriented decisions. After serving in Jharkhand as IG of CRPF for a long period Sanjay Anand Latekar has joined as ADG (Operation) of Jharkhand Police. Latekar, a man of few words, has a vast experience in anti-naxal operations and his stint in CRPF has helped to achieve better coordination between police and CRPF.
Homkar is another veteran officer who is the IG (Operation) as well as IG of STF. That means two units that play key roles in anti-naxal operations are under single command.
Similarly, Birtharay has been placed in the charge of DIG of the STF and DIG of Special Branch. Special Branch is considered the eyes and ears of any operation as the department is entrusted to gather information and inputs about movement of rebels. Again the two important units under a single command is an added advantage.