Three Maoists, including two carrying ₹25 lakh combined reward, surrender in Jharkhand
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, September 10: Three senior cadres of the CPI (Maoist), who were active for years in the forests…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, September 10: Three senior cadres of the CPI (Maoist), who were active for years in the forests along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border, have surrendered amid intensified anti-Naxal operations and mounting pressure from security forces, police said.
Those who surrendered include Ramprasad Mardi alias Mahadev, Sachin and Sunil, a Regional Committee member carrying a ₹15 lakh reward; his wife Mita alias Nayantara, Jhumpa, Pori and Nutan, a Zonal Committee member carrying a ₹10 lakh reward; and Gauri alias Bullu, Joba and Budai, a Sub-Zonal Committee member.
According to police records, 81 cases are registered against the three cadres. Ramprasad Mardi faces 44 cases, Mita 19 and Gauri 18.
Ramprasad Mardi, a native of Jhujhka village under Patamda police station area of East Singhbhum district, had been active in the East Singhbhum, Saranda and Kolhan regions, according to police.
The cases registered against him date back to 2007 and include alleged involvement in murder, attempt to murder, attacks on police and security forces, IED explosions and offences under the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, UAPA and CLA Act.
Police records show cases against him in the jurisdictions of Patamda, Ghatshila, MGM, Galudih, Bodam, Kharsawan, Kuchai, Toklo, Tonto and Jaraikela.
Security forces targeted in multiple IED incidents
Police said Ramprasad’s name figured in several incidents involving Maoist attacks on security personnel.
On March 1, 2026, an encounter took place between security forces and Maoists in the forested and hilly area between Marangponga and Kinbir, near the borders of Chiriya OP (Manoharpur), Chotanagra and Jaraikela police station areas.
A CoBRA jawan, Vikram Yadav, was injured in the encounter. Security forces subsequently recovered 131 cartridges, three magazines and a wireless set from the area.
In a separate incident, Assistant Commandant Ajay Mallick and Havildar (GD) Sanjay Kumar of the CoBRA 209 Battalion were injured after allegedly stepping on an IED planted by Maoists.
On September 19, 2024, an IED blast targeting security forces near Tirilposi under Jaraikela police station injured R. Sugumar, a member of the CoBRA 209 Battalion’s BDDS team.
Earlier, on January 11 and 12, 2023, a series of IED blasts occurred during an encounter between security forces and Maoists in Tumbahaka forest under Tonto police station. Nine CoBRA personnel were injured in the incidents.
Mita faces 19 cases
Ramprasad’s wife, Mita alias Nayantara, Jhumpa, Pori and Nutan, is reported to be a resident of Sonachuda in the Nandigram police station area of West Bengal’s Purulia district.
Police records identify her as a Zonal Committee member of the CPI (Maoist). She carried a reward of ₹10 lakh in Jharkhand and has 19 cases registered against her.
The cases range from Ghatshila to Tonto and Jaraikela and include alleged involvement in incidents targeting security forces.
Her name also figures in cases relating to the Tumbahaka forest IED blasts of January 11-12, 2023, and the Tirilposi blast of September 19, 2024, according to police records.
Gauri linked to 2025 Saranda IED attacks
The third cadre, Gauri alias Bullu, Joba and Budai, is a resident of Jamirdih in the Belpahari police station area of West Bengal’s Jhargram district.
Police identify him as a Sub-Zonal Committee member of the CPI (Maoist). Eighteen cases are registered against him.
Apart from the 2023 Tumbahaka IED attack, police records link Gauri to an IED blast in Samtha forest under Jaraikela police station on October 10, 2025.
In that incident, Inspector Kaushal Kumar Mishra of the CRPF’s 60th Battalion was critically injured.
During a subsequent search operation, another IED blast injured Sub-Inspector Ramchandra Gogai and Head Constable Mahendra Lashkar. Lashkar later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
Arms, explosives recovered during Saranda operations
On November 6, 2025, security forces engaged Maoists during an anti-Naxal operation in the Kulapuburu Saranda forest area under Chhotanagra police station.
According to police, the subsequent search operation led to the recovery of two SLR rifles, a .303 rifle, 245 cartridges, magazines, gelatin, IEDs, electric detonators, a laptop and an FM radio.
Another IED blast occurred in the Saranda forest on November 8. A trained CoBRA dog was killed and a security personnel was injured in the incident.
Surrenders seen as setback for Maoist network
According to police records, Ramprasad Mardi, Mita and Gauri had remained active in Maoist activities across the Kolhan region and adjoining areas for several years.
Their surrender is being viewed by security agencies as a significant development in the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign, coming amid sustained operations in the forested areas of Jharkhand and increasing pressure on the Maoist network.
