Ranchi Police arrested four active members of the banned CPI (Maoist) group who were allegedly plotting to extort ₹1 crore from local business interests in Jharkhand, officials confirmed on Monday.
DIG and SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha identified the accused as Yogendra Ganjhu alias Pawan, Mukesh Ganjhu, Manu Ganjhu, and Rajkumar Nahak. Based on credible intelligence, the police raided a location near the Bakshi Bangla Chatti river—spanning the Khalari and McCluskieganj jurisdictions—where the group had convened.
During the raid, police seized a loaded indigenous firearm, ammunition, Maoist propaganda literature, and mobile phones linked to extortion communications.
Yogendra Ganjhu is a seasoned Maoist with a criminal history dating back to 2006. He has participated in multiple armed encounters and faces at least 10 major cases across several districts, including Latehar and Garu. Released from prison in 2022, he allegedly resumed extortion activities soon after.
Co-accused Mukesh Ganjhu is similarly implicated in cases across Palamu, Latehar, and Lohardaga districts and is believed to play a key role in the Maoist funding network.
The police also disclosed that the group had recently demanded ₹1 crore from an employee at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), threatening fatal consequences if the demand was not met by July 2. An FIR had been registered earlier at the Khalari police station.
“We are committed to a zero-tolerance policy against Maoist crime,” said SSP Sinha, promising sustained crackdowns on such networks.
With inputs from IANS