Most wanted Maoist Girander Singh, who goes by several aliases, was on Wednesday remanded in judicial custody after his arrest a day before. From 1998, he has 10 cases under serious charges lodged against him. According to Palamau SP Narendra K Singh, he is responsible for several landmine attacks and is wanted by three police stations.
From a member of the Bal Dasta to resigning from the left-wing outfit, Singh has travelled down a long road of extremism. On Wednesday, he told mediapersons, “I resigned in writing but knew the past would be chasing me.” The bias towards Yadavs among Naxals and his failing health were both cited as reasons for Singh resigning. Nonetheless, the big-shot rebel has even chaired meetings in which Government officials have sat. He said, “I became the Prakhand Adhikshak of Bees Sutri committee and remained on this chair from 1993 to 1995.” The SP, however, could not explain what prevented his arrest for these seven years, despite a warrant.
One of the more notorious cases against him was his involvement in the killing of a priest in Patki jungle in 2001. A priest and a nun had been en route Ranchi on a day the Naxals had declared a shutdown. Singh and others had attacked their van, which was doubling as an ambulance.