Intense Search for Last Maoist Leader Misir Besra in Jharkhand

Original: In sprawling hunt for final Maoist leader: 3,000 elite troops, ₹1 crore reward, and a nudge from his family

Hindustan Times•Apr 6, 20265 min

In a Nutshell

Over 3,000 commandos from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are engaged in a high-stakes operation to capture Misir Besra, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), hiding in the Saranda forests of Jharkhand. His estranged family has appealed for his surrender, underscoring the personal stakes in this ongoing conflict.

Key Points

01Misir Besra is one of the last active leaders of the CPI (Maoist) with a reward of ₹1 crore on his head.
02His family has made a heartfelt appeal for him to surrender, citing the collapse of the insurgency.
03The CRPF has deployed 3,000 commandos in a coordinated effort with local police to locate Besra.
04Besra has been linked to numerous violent incidents, including a major ambush that killed 32 police personnel in 2004.
05The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating multiple terror charges against him.

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Full Summary

In a significant operation, over 3,000 commandos from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are searching for Misir Besra, a senior member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), in the dense Saranda forests of Jharkhand. Besra, who is in his late 60s and has a reward of ₹1 crore for his capture, has been evading authorities for decades, having been involved in numerous violent incidents, including a notorious ambush in 2004 that resulted in the deaths of 32 police personnel. His family, estranged yet concerned, has made a plea for his surrender, highlighting the personal turmoil amid the broader conflict. Besra's son and brother have expressed their desire for him to abandon his life as a Maoist, emphasizing the collapse of the insurgency. The CRPF is working closely with the Special Task Force (STF) of Jharkhand Police to locate him, and officials believe it is only a matter of time before he is apprehended. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also investigating several cases against Besra, which include serious terror charges under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Key Figures

₹1 crore

Reward for information leading to Misir Besra's capture

3,000

Number of CRPF commandos deployed in the search operation

32

Number of police personnel killed in the 2004 ambush masterminded by Besra

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Why It Matters

The ongoing operation to capture Misir Besra could lead to enhanced security and stability in the region, affecting local communities and their safety.

Who is affected

Residents of Jharkhand, security personnel, and families of those affected by Maoist violence.

What to know

Local residents should remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces during the operation.

FAQ

Misir Besra is a senior leader of the CPI (Maoist) and has been involved in the insurgency for decades, masterminding numerous attacks against security forces.

Over 3,000 CRPF commandos are deployed in a coordinated effort with local police to find Besra in the Saranda forests.

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