THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 29: In a joint anti-extremist operation, Jharkhand police, along with CoBRA and CRPF, killed two top Maoists, including a female Naxal, in West Singhbhum.
The deceased have been identified as Sanjay Ganjhu, a zonal committee member, and Hemanti Manjhiyain, an area committee member.
Following the successful operation, DGP Anurag Gupta rushed to Chaibasa and commended the security forces, which included Chaibasa police, Jharkhand Jaguar, CRPF, and CoBRA.
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The police recovered:
- Two INSAS rifles
- 313 live cartridges
- Nine INSAS magazines
- Detonators
- A large quantity of electronic and household items
Operation Details
According to a statement from the State Police Headquarters, the operation was conducted based on intelligence regarding the movement of top leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist), including Misir Besra, Anmol, Mochu, Anal, Asim Mandal, Ajay Mahato, Sagen Angaria, and Ashwin, along with their squad members. These Maoists were reportedly active in Kolhan, Saranda, and the Podahat forest areas, planning subversive activities.
Intelligence reports further indicated that Amit Munda, a Maoist regional commander (RCM) with a ₹15 lakh bounty, was moving through the Podahat forest area in Chaibasa district, West Singhbhum, along with his squad. His team included:
- Sanjay Ganjhu (Zonal Committee Member – ZCM)
- Prabhat Munda alias Mukhiya (Sub-Zonal Member – SZM)
- Saluka Kayam (Sub-Zonal Committee Member – SZCM)
- Hemanti Manjhiyain (Area Committee Member – ACM)
- Other extremist members
The squad was reportedly planning a major attack in the hilly and forested areas near villages Vilayati Tola, Lojon, Kudaburu, Jojoda, Kerabir, Nachalda, and Jhargaon under the Sonuwa police station.
The Encounter
Acting on this intelligence, a joint operation team was formed under the leadership of the Superintendent of Police, West Singhbhum, Chaibasa, comprising Chaibasa Police and CoBRA 209 Battalion.
On January 29, 2025, between 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM, as security forces approached Vilayati Tola in the Sonuwa police station area, Maoist extremists opened fire upon spotting them. The security forces retaliated in self-defense.
As the security forces gained the upper hand, the remaining Maoists fled into the dense forest and mountainous terrain.
Aftermath
Following the encounter, a search operation was conducted in the area, leading to the recovery of:
- Two dead bodies (one male, one female)
- Weapons, cartridges, and other materials
The deceased were later identified as:
- ZCM Sanjay Ganjhu alias Vinay Ganjhu alias Baria alias Bhukhan, son of Mangal Ganjhu alias Mangra, resident of Lomga Tola Kusum, Simaria Police Station, Chatra district
- Hemanti Manjhiyain, resident of Nawadih, Bokaro district