Jamshedpur: A day after three wanted Maoists were arrested by security forces from the forest area in Chandil and Kandra police station limits in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, police on Thursday said that the extremists were attempting to regain a foothold in Chandil-Dalma region after shifting base from Saranda. The arrested trio were facing more than 100 criminal cases across Jharkhand and West Bengal. All three were remanded to judicial custody on Thursday.During the operation, security forces recovered an AK-47 rifle, an INSAS rifle, a pistol, 361 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 42 rounds of pistol ammunition and other incriminating materials from their possession.They were earlier active in the Junglemahal-Dalma region along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border, said police. Around 7-8 years ago, they moved to the Saranda forests following sustained anti-Naxal operations by the East Singhbhum district police. However, with security forces tightening their grip over Saranda during the past two years, several Maoist cadres dispersed to other forest pockets, including Chandil-Dalma-Galudih.Preliminary investigation revealed that the three had been hiding in the Chandil forest for the past few days and were scouting for new targets to collect levy in an attempt to strengthen the Maoist network in the region.Addressing the media, Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Manoj Swargiary said, “The trio had links with senior Maoist leader Asim Mondal, who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore. Police are now focused on dismantling the remaining Maoist network operating in the district.”The SP added that the banned outfit is currently facing financial distress and is attempting to identify fresh sources of extortion to sustain its activities.The most prominent among those arrested is Madan Mahato Charan alias Shankar (54), a regional committee member of the banned outfit and a member of its Bengal-Jharkhand-Odisha Border Committee. Carrying a bounty of Rs 15 lakh, Madan has been active in Maoist activities for nearly 25 years and has more than 41 criminal cases in Jharkhand and West Bengal.The second accused, Ravi Singh Sardar alias Biren Singh alias Sagar (28), is a sub-zonal committee member carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh. Investigators described him as a key strategist responsible for planning attacks, leading armed squads and training new recruits. The third Maoist, Meena Paharia alias Nepu (26) is the wife of Ravi and carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh. She was involved in manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), preparing landmines, planting explosives and managing logistical support.
Meena, Madan Mahato, Ravi Sardar
