Latehar: Two top members of the outlawed Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP), including a sub-zonal commander carrying a cash reward of ₹5 lakh, surrendered before the police in Jharkhand’s Latehar district on Wednesday, officials confirmed.
The surrendered extremists have been identified as Brajesh Yadav alias Rakesh, sub-zonal commander of JJMP, and Awadhesh Lohara alias Rohit, the area commander.
The duo surrendered at the Latehar district headquarters in the presence of Palamu Range Inspector General (IG) Shailendra Kumar Sinha, Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav, CRPF 11th Battalion Commandant Yadaram Bunkar, and SSB 32nd Battalion Commandant Rajesh Kumar.
Both were welcomed with bouquets and given symbolic cheques under the Jharkhand government’s Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy. Family members of the two were also present during the event.
According to the police, Brajesh Yadav, a native of Kathokatwa village in Gumla district, has been active in Maoist activities for nearly 20 years. Previously associated with the CPI (Maoist), he was arrested in 2010 and released in 2018, after which he joined JJMP and rose through the ranks. He is accused in 10 cases involving murder, extortion, and attacks on security forces.
Awadhesh Lohara, a resident of Banduwa village under Herhanj police station in Latehar, is wanted in five cases related to violent attacks on police and other criminal activities.
IG Sinha stated that increased security operations and public cooperation have weakened the Naxal network in Latehar. “This year alone, 21 Naxalites have surrendered. We encourage others to return to the mainstream, but those who persist in violence will face strict action,” he said.
SP Gaurav added that continued anti-Naxal drives have demoralized insurgents, with only four to five active JJMP cadres remaining in the district.
With inputs from IANS