Guwahati: The chief of the banned Maoist organisation Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), Brijesh Ganjhu, alias Gopal Singh Bhokta, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Varanasi early Sunday, Jharkhand Police said.
IG (STF) Prem Gautam briefed Jharkhand Police about the operation and confirmed Ganjhu’s death. A combined reward of Rs 30 lakh had been announced for his arrest, with the Jharkhand government offering Rs 25 lakh and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Rs 5 lakh.
According to senior Jharkhand Police officials, the encounter took place at around 5 a.m. at Lanka Maidan near Tengra More under the Ramnagar police station area of Varanasi.
The UP ATS said it had received intelligence that Ganjhu was in Varanasi and was expected to travel through the area on a motorcycle. Acting on the input, an ATS team laid a trap in the Tengra More area.
When Ganjhu approached on a motorcycle, the team signalled him to stop. The ATS alleged that he opened fire instead, triggering an exchange of fire. Ganjhu sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to a district hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The ATS said an accomplice managed to flee during the encounter. Two pistols, live cartridges and spent shell casings were recovered from the spot, it said.
According to the ATS, bullets fired by Ganjhu struck the bulletproof jackets of DSP Vipin Rai and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna. Both officers were reported to be safe.
Ganjhu had been wanted by security agencies for years and was declared wanted around eight years ago in connection with a terror-funding case investigated by the NIA.
Following the operation, police are investigating cases registered against him and the network linked to his alleged Maoist activities. They are also trying to establish how long he had been staying in Varanasi and identify his contacts, according to police.
Ganjhu was from the Lawalong police station area of Chatra district in Jharkhand and had been active in Naxal activities in the state. In the Palamu division, TPC-linked Naxals have been accused of collecting levies from tendu leaf contractors.
The organisation also targeted the coal trade following the launch of CCL’s Amrapali and Magadh coal projects in Chatra. Maoist squads have been accused of collecting levies from outsourcing and transportation companies involved in coal mining.
Ganjhu also faced allegations of extortion targeting businessmen, transporters and contractors.