Three People’s liberation Front of India (PlFI) cadres were arrested from the outskirts of the State capital on Friday while they were on recce of a road construction site at NH 33 being carried out by Madhukon Project.
Talking to media persons, Ranchi SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi said that they were making plans to carry out some naxal activity near Kanchi River.
“Getting a tip-off that some suspicious elements have been located near Kanchi River, two teams were formed which took action from the two different sides—Bundu and Tamar,” said the SSP. During vehicle checking, three people on two motorcycles started running away, he said.
“When policemen nabbed the three persons, three loaded pistols along with six cartridges were recovered from their possession,” said the SSP.
Those who got arrested include PlFI Deputy Commander Prince Makan Yadav, Suraj Ahir and Somra Ahir. “Three pistols, six rounds of cartridges, two motor bikes, five mobile phones, two SIM cards and two other mobile phones purchased by them have also been recovered from their possession,” said the SSP.
According to the SSP, there were as many as 16 cadres in the group led by Commander Mangal Pandey while Prince Makan was the Deputy Commander. All have taken training for over two months in the jungles of Bano in Simdega. “They have also admitted that they were involved in Salgadih incident where several vehicles were set on fire at a construction site. They were also involved in activities like loot of mobile phones and other petty activities,” said the SSP.
Ranchi police on Thursday had also arrested two Maoists -- Devendra Kujur and Bhawani Oraon when they were on way to transport money and supplies to notorious Maoists operating in extremism hit areas of Jharkhand.
In the arrest made from Gonda police station, police had also recovered Rs 17 lakh from their possession along with Maoist literature, bindoliya (bullet pack), three mobile phones, two backpacks and an inventory of provisions, including dry fruits, snacks, clothes and shoes.