Source: outlookindia.com
Ranchi, Feb 5 (IANS) Despite claims by Jharkhand police that Leftwing extremism has been wiped out from the state, official figures show that at least 193 hardcore Maoist rebels carrying rewards up to Rs 1 crore are still wanted in the region.
According to police data, five Maoist rebels are carrying rewards of RS 1 crore each on their head, whereas, 62 Maoists are carrying Rs 1 lakh rewards, 32 each carrying Rs 2 lakh, 38 each carrying Rs 5 lakh, 25 each carrying Rs 10 lakh, 19 each carrying Rs 15 lakh and 15 each carrying reward of Rs 25 lakh on their head. They are among 193 wanted in the state.
The five Maoist guerrillas carrying Rs 1 crore rewards are: Prashant Bose alias Kisanda alias Manish alias Budda, Misir Besra alias Bhaskar alias Sagar, Asim Mandal alias Akash alias Timir, Anal-da alias Toofan alias Patiram Manjhi and Prayag Manjhi alias Vivek alias Foochna.
Sources said when Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar, there were two Maoist groups — Maoist Coordination Centre and People”s war Group. Both later merged and formed CPI-Maoists. Post merger at least six Maoist organisations were floated. The important Maoist organisations operating in Jharkhand include, People”s Liberation Front of India, TPC, JJMP, JPC and other splinter outfits.
After the formation of Jharkhand, more than 2,000 hardcore Maoist guerrillas were active in the state. Since the creation of the state, 510 security personnel and 846 Maoist rebels have been killed, whereas 500 Maoists have surrendered before police.
According to police sources, at least 400 Maoist guerrillas are still active in the state. Jharkhand”s 18 out of 24 districts are said to be Maoist-affected.