Nine PlFI extremists, including an Area Commander and one minor surrendered on Monday in front of Director General of Police (DGP) DK Pandey and other senior officials at the Police Headquarters along with their arms and ammunitions. This has taken the total number of naxals surrendered under operation Nayi Disha in Jharkhand to 108 so far.
PlFI area commander lal Bihari Singh aka lalu was active in areas under Anandpur, Bano, Manoharpur and Rania police stations in Chaibasa for the last two and half years. A member of Ramu Ghanjhu brigade, lal Bihari was carrying a bounty of Rs 2 lakh on his head, which was given to him after he surrendered, in addition to Rs 50,000 cash under the State’s Surrender Policy.
Other PlFI members included Samu lugun, Mitu lugun, Achu Herenz, Dadu aka Ganju lugun, Birsa lugun, Zirga lugun, Goma lugun, and Sado lugun. According to State Police spokesperson MS Bhatia, all except Achu Herenz are residents of Jalasar under Bandgaon police station in West Singhbhum. Achu Herenz, the only minor (14-15) among those surrendered this year, is said to be a resident of Tuticale. However, this village also falls under Bandgaon police station of West Singhbhum.
All PlFI members between 18-25 years are said to be active naxals for last three years in areas under Bandgaon, Rania, Sonua and Gudri police stations of West Singhbhum. Samu lugun, Mitu lugun and Achu Herenz are said to be a member of Mangra lugun brigade, and rest except lal Bihari are from Amar Gudia brigade. The police said that lal Bihari joined PlFI to take revenge of wrongdoings to his family. He was promoted to the rank of Area Commander of Ramu Ganjhu brigade in Anandpur region recently. Ramu Ganjhu is said to be his maternal uncle.
DGP Pandey said that all would get jobs and other facilities under surrender and rehabilitation policy of the government. All would be kept in jail until all the cases against them get disposed of with due legal processes.
“We have been able to motivate more than two dozen naxals, including these nine PlFI members to drop the gun under Operation Nayi Disha this year. Those willing to drop guns to return to the mainstream of society will be welcomed with open arms. However, our warning for those who decide to keep on being threat to civilized society remains clear. They will be treated accordingly,” said Pandey.
He added that this was the first time this year that a complete brigade was persuaded to surrender, and all were Adivasis. He also said that the government was keen to bring development in naxal-hit areas, so that it could become almost impossible for already decaying ideology of naxalism to an end as soon as possible.
“We have helped in installation of as many as 786 mobile towers in naxal-hit areas, so that modern facilities like banking and e-governance could be brought there. One more women battalion has been approved by the government in Dumka. We are going to recruit as many as 15,000 policemen next year with 33 per cent reservation of women. All these are efforts to combat naxalism in the State with gun, and also without gun,” said Pandey.