Ranchi police arrested as many as four hardcore CPI (Maoist) cadres after brief skirmish in the dense forests of Bharno and recovered arms. The arrested Maoists are said to be residents of Gumla and were being led by Area Commanders — Satish Oraon, Punai Oraon and Amarjeet Oraon — of the left wing-extremist group.
The arrested ultras—Bisheshwar Oraon, Sikandar Oraon, Sunny Oraon and Gandur Oraon—are being interrogated to extract further details about the group’s activities in the region. Interestingly, police is also examining the angle of a brewing rivalry between CPI-Maoists and PlFI in Gumla and adjoining areas.“This might be a battle of supremacy in the region where the PlFI has an overwhelming presence. It also appears that they wanted to expand their base in the region,” said Ranchi SSP Prabhat Kumar.
The CPI-Maoists had issued notices to the people to interact with them to influence them to increase their base and create an anti-PlFI cadre. The members of the banned outfit were active for about a week in the area.
Following an intelligence input about increased activity of around 20 to 25 CPI-Maoist cadres in the dense forests between Ghaghra-Dalsinghrai and Tetargarha the Ranchi police formed three teams in the command of Rural SP to nab the ultras. The team intercepted the group of extremists while conducting raids on the night of May 21 which resulted in a brief gun battle forcing the ultras to retreat however the team managed to catch four of them.
The team comprised personnel of CRPF, COBRA, SSB, QAT Ranchi police and other district police.Due to the spread of the forest the Gumla and lohardaga police were also informed about the operation in the area abutting the two districts.Police recovered one double barrel rifle, a piece each of regular and country-made carbine, live and spent cartridges, among other things after interrogation of the arrested ultras.