Khunti police have arrested seven notorious criminals in raids conducted in various parts of the district in the past 24 hours. Among the nabbed persons is Karam Singh Munda, who is accused of kidnapping four police jawans posted at Member of Parliament Karia Munda’s residence in Khunti district in June 26, 2018.
“Munda was arrested from the Ghaghra area of the district. During police investigation he has emerged as the prime accused in the jawan kidnapping and weapon looting cases,” said the Khunti SP Ashwani Kumar.
Notably, Pathalgarhi supporters had kidnapped four jawans posted at MP Karia Munda house in Khunti and took away their arms and ammunitions. Subsequently, district administration including the Khunti DC and the SP surrounded the Ghaghra village to free the jawans. The Pathalgarhi leaders namely Yusuf Purty, John Junas Tudu and Balram Samad led a large number of villagers to prevent the police from entering the village. The leaders were demanding that either President or a Supreme Court judge or the governor should come and talk to them. The following day police were attacked with bows and arrows, sticks and stones while it tried to forcibly enter the village. Several policemen were injured in the incident.
After the operation that led to recovery of jawans and also the looted weapons police arrested John Jonas Tudu and Balram Samad. Both of the arrested persons also stated that Munda played a role in the kidnapping and looting incident.
In another major success Khunti police has on Tuesday morning arrested five criminals from the Panchghagh forest on Tuesday morning. The criminals were arrested while they were planning to commit crime. Police have recovered a country made carbine, two motorcycles and mobile phones of various companies from them.
The nabbed persons are Anand Topno, Sanjit Odhiya, Rajendra Mahto, Michale Dhanwar and Phulendra Mahto. Police informed that Topno was accused in several murder and loot cases. The arrested criminals confessed involvement in Sashi Kumar Pandey murder case, Rajendra Mahto murder case and other incidents.
The criminals had shot dead trader Sashi Kumar Pandey and looted Rs 50,000 from him at Murhu market in July 2017. BJP workers Rajendra Mahto was shot dead in Darla village under Murhu police station in October 2017.
In another operation Khunti police has also arrested Sukhu Munda from village Kocha Karanj under the Tapkara police station area on Tuesday morning. Munda along with four PLFI members had allegedly killed one Naeem Khan in October 5 2013.
“It was a highly successful day for the police as we managed to nab seven criminals wanted for a long time,” the SP said.