In a significant crackdown, four militants associated with the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) have been arrested during a vehicle checking campaign at Bagh Tola Mode in the Chhipadohar police station area of Latehar district. The arrests were made on Sunday as part of a coordinated operation led by Barwadih SDPO Venkatesh Singh. The details of the operation were disclosed during a press conference held at the SP office on Monday.

Weapons Recovered During the Operation

According to SDPO Venkatesh Singh, the arrested militants have been identified as Bitan Lohra, Lakhan Lohra, Gudu alias Machender Lohra, all from Ganeshpur Chhipadohar, and Virendra Singh Saidup from Barwadih. The police recovered two country-made pistols, eight live bullets of 7.62 mm caliber, and three motorcycles from the militants.

Levy Collection from Businessmen

SDPO Singh elaborated that the militants were allegedly involved in collecting levies from local businessmen. The operation was initiated based on secret information received by Superintendent of Police Anjani Anjan on June 30, which indicated that militants from the banned JJMP organization were armed and planning to extort money from businessmen in the Chipadohar area. Acting on this intelligence, a team was formed under the leadership of SDPO Singh to carry out a vehicle checking campaign near Baghmoda Mode.

Militants’ Threats and Extortion Activities

During the vehicle check, police observed four individuals riding on three motorcycles. Upon stopping and searching the motorcycles, the police discovered the weapons and ammunition. The arrested militants confessed during interrogation that they had been extorting money from businessmen in Chipadohar, Garu, and Barwadih by threatening them over the phone. They had previously warned the businessmen that they would face lethal consequences if the levies were not paid.

Ongoing Investigation

SDPO Singh mentioned that efforts are underway to gather further information regarding the criminal history of the arrested militants from nearby police stations. The successful operation involved the coordinated efforts of Chipadohar police station in-charge Dheeraj Kumar Singh, Sub Inspector Ritesh Kumar Rao, Rajesh Kumar, Sub Inspector Sachchidanand Singh, Anant Singh, and IRB Set-143 jawans.

The arrest of these militants is seen as a significant step in curbing the activities of the JJMP in the region and ensuring the safety and security of local businessmen and residents. The authorities have emphasized their commitment to continuing such operations to dismantle militant networks and prevent extortion and other criminal activities in the area.