Top CPI (Maoist) leader Misir Besra, who carried a bounty of more than Rs 1 crore, was arrested in Jharkhand along with two close associates in a major breakthrough for security forces, dealing a significant blow to the Maoist network in West Singhbhum.

According to police sources, Besra was apprehended late on Tuesday night in Giridih during a coordinated operation. Also arrested were Regional Committee member Mehnat alias Mochhu, who had a Rs 5 lakh reward on his head, and Gaurav alias Saurav.

The operation was carried out by a joint team of the CoBRA, CRPF and Jharkhand Police after receiving specific intelligence inputs. Besra had a bounty of Rs 1 crore announced by the Jharkhand government, while Odisha had declared a reward of Rs 1.20 crore for information leading to his capture.

One of India’s most wanted Maoist leaders

A Politburo member of the CPI (Maoist), Besra had remained on the run for nearly two decades and was among the country’s most wanted Maoist leaders. With his arrest, Asim Mandal is now the only Maoist leader carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty who remains at large in Jharkhand.

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Police officials described the arrest as a major setback to Maoist activities in the Saranda and Kolhan regions and an important achievement in the state’s ongoing anti-Naxal campaign.

Interrogation underway, focus on arms and Maoist network

The three arrested Maoists have been shifted to an undisclosed location, where they are being questioned by the police, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other central agencies.

Investigators are trying to gather details about sophisticated weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) believed to be hidden inside forest areas. Agencies are also working to identify overground workers (OGWs) who allegedly provided financial and logistical support to the Maoist organisation.

According to police sources, intelligence inputs suggested that Besra and his squad had moved towards Giridih and the Parasnath hills after increasing pressure from security forces in the Saranda region forced them to look for a new hideout.

Operation Sudarshan led to arrests

Based on these inputs, security forces launched Operation Sudarshan, sealed the area and conducted an extensive search, resulting in the arrests.

Police records show that Besra faces more than 150 criminal cases across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The charges include murder, IED blasts, attacks on security personnel and violations under the Arms Act. His areas of operation included Saranda, Kolhan, Parasnath and the tri-junction of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

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Investigators have also linked him to the Bitkilsoy and Baliba IED blasts in West Singhbhum during 2003-04, in which 55 security personnel lost their lives. He had been absconding since 2009 after armed Maoists attacked the Lakhisarai court premises in Bihar and freed him from police custody.

Police sources said Besra operated under a three-tier security cover, highlighting his senior position within the banned Maoist organisation.

FAQs:

Who is Misir Besra, the Maoist leader arrested in Jharkhand?

Misir Besra is a senior CPI (Maoist) Politburo member who carried a Rs 1 crore bounty in Jharkhand and had been absconding for nearly two decades.

Why is Misir Besra’s arrest significant?

His arrest is seen as a major blow to the Maoist network in Jharkhand, particularly in the Saranda and Kolhan regions, following a joint operation by security forces.