Latehar — In a major breakthrough for security forces, Surendra Lohra alias “Tiger”, a sub-zonal commander of the banned Maoist outfit Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad, surrendered before police in Jharkhand’s Latehar district on Thursday. He was carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh.
Lohra laid down arms in the presence of Palamu Range IG Shailendra Kumar Sinha and Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav.
A resident of Manjar village under Latehar Sadar police station limits, Lohra had been associated with various Maoist groups for nearly two decades. Police officials said he is wanted in several serious cases across the district, highlighting his long-standing involvement in extremist activities.
Welcoming the surrender, IG Sinha credited the development to the state government’s rehabilitation initiative “Nayi Disha”, which aims to bring Maoist cadres back into the mainstream. He said Lohra was informed about the benefits under the policy, which influenced his decision to give up violence.
SP Kumar Gaurav said that 28 Maoists have surrendered in Latehar district during his tenure of around one-and-a-half years. He attributed the trend to sustained anti-Naxal operations along with rehabilitation efforts and described Lohra’s surrender as a major milestone in the campaign to make the district Maoist-free.
The SP also warned those still involved in insurgent activities to take advantage of the surrender policy or face strict action by security forces.
Senior police officials, including DSP Vinod Ravani, Inspector Pramod Kumar and Station House Officer Krishna Pal Singh Pavaiya, were present during the surrender.
With inputs from IANS