Palamu IG reaches Garhwa, displays arrested ultra, recoveries

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Daltonganj, Dec 19: The Garhwa police today sat to tell how bravely its boys fought the JJMP ultras of Tunesh Oraon’s squad at the jungles under the Ranka police station limits last night.

IG of police Palamu zone R K Lakra reached Garhwa today and he along with SP Deepak Pandey briefed the press about the encounter.

Morale boost for cops

The top cop detailed the arrest of one and showed the recoveries made post-encounter but the most important was to boost the morale of the cops and also to convey to the masses that the Garhwa district police did a wonderful job.

It was a shot in the arm of Garhwa SP Deepak Pandey when the ADG Ops Sanjay Anand Lathkar on Monday, in conversation with this correspondent, had a great word of appreciation for the cops of Chiniya, Ramkanda and Ranka police stations who took on the Tunesh Oraon’s squad of the JJMP.

A day later, the IG was in Garhwa. Cops in Garhwa district would not have thought so much for them as now they are made to feel and believe that higher police officials also pat and do not always pull up.

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One arrested, weapons, ammo recovered

There is one arrest and the man is identified as Sheo Pujan Munda of Ramkanda police station limits. He wears an alias which is Sheo Pujan Bhuihar and that makes him more dubious.

Among the recoveries made, there is one AK 47 with its 3 magazines and 70 live cartridges of 7.62mm bore .13 rounds of live fire of 5.56mm bore Insaas rifle were also recovered.

On being asked if the recovered AK 47 is a looted one from the police IG Lakra said, “This needs to be verified. Police weapon carries distinctive mark. It is to be verified in this case of the AK 47 also.”

The police who recovered one AK 47 also found 4 thalees of the ultras with one bed sheet and two tarpaulins!

Garhwa encounter — Seizures including one AK 47 made after the Ranka encounter

Recovered items suggest a small camp

The recovery of the 4 thalees and no trace of utensils like ‘dekchi’ etc mean it was a small squad of the JJMP led by its dreaded man Tunesh Oraon having 13 cases in all, eight in Garhwa district, two in Palamu district and three in Latehar district.

Were these four ultras or some more having food from the villagers? The fleeing JJMP cadres must not have run with ‘dekchi’ when there was an exchange of fire.

If their food front looked doubtful like only thalees recovered, their communication accessories were smart.

Police recovered one walkie-talkie and four Android cell phones along with two sim cards, one earphone and two data cables.

Sources said the JJMP would definitely be wondering as to what its course be now to remain on the ground or to keep low.

The JJMP although it injured one police officer has incurred more troubles for it as Garhwa district police will now be hounding it day and night with a sense of revenge following the bid on the life of its one officer.