Bihar Timeline 2015

Date

Incidents

A CPI-Maoist 'sub-zonal commander', identified as Thakur Khaira, was arrested from Satletba forest under Kotoria Police Station limits in Banka District of Bihar.

Bihar Government distributed cheques worth INR 1.6 million among 36 surrendered Maoists in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Muzaffarpur Zonal Inspector General (IG) Paras Nath and District Magistrate (DM) Anupam Kumar handed over cheques of INR 46,000 to each of the surrendered Maoists.

Bihar Chief Minister Jeetan Ram Manjhi while addressing a gathering at Tarapur in Munger District said that Naxals are "not wrong in demanding levy from contractors if quality of work is poor." He recounted his interaction with three LWEs before he became CM.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi while addressing a public meeting at Tarapur in Munger District, organized under the banner of Zila Kisan Mazdoor Sammelan, said his cabinet colleagues do not cooperate with him in development measures aimed at curbing Naxalism in the State.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has said he was ready to talk to Naxalites and bring them back in the mainstream of society. Talking to media persons after his weekly janata darbar, the CM said he was against the policy of bullet for bullet to finish Maoism.

Shrawan Das, an alleged arms supplier to the CPI-Maoist, was arrested at Madhaul village of Muzaffarpur District. On a specific tip-off, a STF team raided the village and arrested Das.

Bihar Police has claimed that it has been successful in containing LWE in the State with arrests of Maoists and recovery of explosives. According to the figures released by Bihar Police Headquarters, though there were 105 incidents of Maoist violence in 2014 in comparison to 103 in 2013, only 20 civilians were killed against 36 in 2013. The number of Police personnel who died during such incidents shows a sharp drop to six in 2014 from 25 in 2013.

A group of about 20 armed CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a road construction company's camp site at Motipur in Muzaffarpur District a little after January 10 midnight and burnt nine heavy vehicles and machineries worth about INR 30 million.

In a joint combing operation, Bihar Police and CRPF personnel arrested four TPC cadres identified as Jokham Singh, Singhasas Yadav, Mohammad Amaluddin and Salya, from Rohtas District and recovered a huge cache of arms.

Addressing the 21st meeting of Eastern Zonal Council in Patna, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said "The Maoist [Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)] problem is the biggest internal security problem the country is facing today and to challenge this menace there should be better coordination between the Centre and the State governments."

The Maoists called for a bandh in Jharkhand and Bihar in protest against the death of its cadres who were killed during an encounter in Hazaribagh District on January 12. The shutdown had an impact in Latehar District where no public transport or heavy vehicles were seen plying on National Highway 75 and 99.

Naxals have set two trucks on fire in a village near Gaya District. The incident was confirmed by Gaya city SP Rakesh Kumar.

Following a bomb blast in Arrah's Civil Court, where three persons were killed including a Police Constable and 16 injured, Police said that CPI-Maoist involvement in the blast cannot be ruled out.

CRPF DG Prakash Mishra said the red zone [Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)-infested region] is steadily shrinking in Bihar and Jharkhand. It has been possible because the CRPF personnel are not only carrying out operations against Maoists but also helping the common man in many other ways, like distributing essentials such as woolen clothes, utensils etc and enabling them to get their Aadhaar cards.

Armed cadres of CPI-Maoist attacked a road construction company office and set on fire vehicles and four motorcycles in Arwal District. The incident took place near Asaula Bazar under Kinger Police Station area when about 20-25 armed Maoists attacked the base camp of the company and set on fire JCB machine, procklain, dumper, truck, pick van besides four bikes. Police said that the reason behind the incident is suspected to be non-payment of levy demand.

Seven CPI-Maoist cadres, including dreaded Ganesh Sao, the 'commander' of Sone-Punpun Area Committee of CPI-Maoist were arrested from different places in Arwal District of Bihar. Sao was wanted in several cases in Patna, Jehanabad and Aurangabad Districts, Police said adding one carbine, three pistols, several rounds of ammunition, cell phones, SIM cards and Maoist literature were seized from him and his associates. "Sao was trying to strengthen a new group that was rising in Arwal and Jehanabad Districts. Two days ago it had attacked the camp of a road construction company in Arwal and burnt its heavy vehicles and equipment after their levy demands were not met," Inspector General (Operations) Sushil M Khopde said.

A huge cache of explosives and other items were seized from a Maoist pit in Chakarbandha forest under Dumaria Police Station area of Gaya District, Bihar. Confirming the recovery of weapons and explosives from the Maoist dumping pit, CRPF DIG Chiranjeev Prasad said that a couple of IEDs weighed as much as 40 kg. The recovered items include three double barrel guns and two rifles of 315 make.

In a joint anti-Naxal operation by CRPF, STF and Bihar Police, 60 IEDs were recovered in Bhimbandh forest in Munger District of Bihar. Commenting on the recovery SP Varun Kumar Sinha said the Police had received information about a training programme being held by Maoists in the forest following which a joint operation was launched. One suspected Maoist identified as Murmur Koda was also arrested during the operation, he said. A woman cadre, however, managed to flee.

High powered explosive materials, two big landmines, five thousand metres of electric wires, life saving drugs, khaki uniforms, woollens, liquids used for landmines explosion in big jar besides many other chemicals, CPI-Maoist literatures and computerized guidelines for the "Red Army" of the Maoists detailing the war tactics in the event of an encounter with the Police, were seized by the police during a three-day joint operation against the Maoists involving CRPF, STF, SSB and District Police. Displaying the seizure from the Naxal hideouts from the districts of Munger, Lakhisarai and Jamui before the media in the evening of February 21, DIG, Munger range, Sharveshwar Prasad Shukla, accompanied by Munger SP Varun Kumar Sinha, said three hard-core Maoists, including Mithu Koda, resident of Kumartari village under Haveli Kharagpur police station; Monu Koda, resident of Barmasiya village under Haveli Kharagpur police station; and Banu Koda, resident of Machchi tola in Lakhisarai District were arrested during the search operations while some top Maoist leaders managed to escape taking advantage of the 1,400ft mountain top.

Two CRPF troopers were killed and 10 others were injured, five of them critically, when CPI-Maoist cadres blew up a mini-bus carrying them in Gaya District. The Maoists planted a landmine on the route taken by the security personnel, police and CRPF, in Imamganj-Dumaria area during anti-Maoist operation, DGP P K Thakur said. "The landmine exploded when the mini-bus came over it," he added. Further CRPF DIG Chiranjeev Prasad said an IED exploded near a place called Nandai on Imamganj-Dumaria Road. The CRPF personnel belong to the elite CoBRA engaged in anti-Maoist operations in the State, he said. "There was heavy force mobilization in the wake of an encounter in the vicinity yesterday. The Maoists had planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the route on which the forces were moving. One of our mini-buses carrying our jawans was hit by the blast," Prasad said. "The force moving through the area also came under fire from the Maoists after the IED blast," Prasad added.

Four CPI-Maoist cadres have been arrested from Sherghati area in Gaya for their alleged involvement in the February 24 landmine explosion in which two personnel of the CRPF were killed. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Gaya Police and CRPF conducted raids in half-a-dozen villages under Dumaria Police Station of the District and arrested Binod Yadav from Khardag, Mithilesh from Bijua, and Ajay Kumar and Mohammad Ibrar from Kolhubar village. During the interrogation, the arrested Maoists told the Police that ammonium nitrate was used to blow up the bus carrying the CoBRA battalion troopers to their base camp after a search operation. The explosives were stashed in two 5kg cylinders and planted under the road connecting a culvert.

Police conducted raid at some mobile phone shops at Karpi under the Arwal Police station in Arwal District and arrested three shop owners for allegedly supplying SIM cards of different cell companies on fake electoral IDs to the activists of the CPI-Maoist. Those arrested have been identified as Chitranjan Kumar, Gautam Kumar and Arun Kumar, all residents of villages adjoining Karpi. Police also recovered a laptop, fake electoral IDs with tampered holograms and other incriminating documents.

Arwal SP Manavjeet Singh Dhillon said most of the Maoists, who were recently arrested by the Arwal Police, were invariably found demanding levies from contractors using SIM cards provided to them by the arrested mobile shop owners. The SP said the arrested persons used to provide SIM cards on fake IDs to Maoists and in return, the Maoists paid them a fixed amount per sim from their income earned through levy. The seized laptop has been sent to the state police headquarters for cyber examination, the SP added.

Intelligence inputs coming from CRPF and IB have suggested that the growing alienation among tribal population in various CPI-Maoist strongholds in Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and parts of Bihar and Maharashtra has forced CPI-Maoist to order a study of socioeconomic impact of the central development schemes. The study has been ordered by the Eastern Regional Bureau of CPI-Maoist that supervises Maoist activities in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and North Chhattisgarh, sources said. The ERB has asked various state committees to undertake detailed study in villages and circulated a 19 column detailed pro-forma to be duly filled up by the surveyors. "The CPI (Maoist) has noted that if it has to spread and further revolution in the agrarian areas, it has to review its tactics in the light of socio-political and economic impact of the development schemes that have been there in the rural and tribal areas for the last two decades," said sources.

In their internal communications, the Maoist's have blamed these programmes for weaning away village level activists as they got involved in various contractual works associated with these schemes. Besides initiatives like Rs. 2 per kg rice for poor and Saranda action plan succeeded in misguiding some of its active cadres and sowed seeds of discord among them, the intelligence inputs note. The confiscated documents also suggest that some Maoist leaders lament the lack of maturity on part of some of its senior leadership for being unaware of changing ground realities and need for a comprehensive survey from a Marxist perspective.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Janaki Yadav, carrying a reward of INR 50,000 on his head was arrested from Banadih village in Jamui District. Acting on a tip off, a Police team led by SP, Operation, DN Pandey raided the village and arrested the Maoist. Yadav, is said to be a self-styled 'area platoon commander' of the CPI-Maoist and was wanted in over a dozen cases.

In a joint raid, East Champaran District Police and CRPF arrested CPI-Maoist 'sub-zonal commander' of north Bihar Munchun Sah from his hideout at Nakardewa village under Rajepur Police Station area. Munchun had been dodging the police for the last three years. East Champaran ASP (operations) Rajiv Kumar said the Police recovered a pistol, live cartridges, four cellphones, letters for levy and Maoist literatures from his possession. According to police sources, Munchun is an expert in bomb making and arm operation in his organization.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Jaglal Ganju, was found dead in a locality under Kothi Police Station area of Talaiya Bazar in Gaya District. He was an 'area commander' of the CPI-Maoist, said Kothi Police Station in-Charge Qayamuddin Ansari. The dead body bore marks of injuries from bullet indicating that he was shot dead, he said, adding that a pamphlet was found from the spot bearing the name of another Naxal outfit - TPC - a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, in which it was claimed that Ganju's murder was revenge for killing of a TPC cadre Kuldeep Yadav recently, he said.

Police recovered 7,000 detonators, 3,000 explosives and 2,000 kg ammonium nitrate during raids conducted at CPI-Maoist hideouts in Rohtas District of Bihar. SP Shivdeep Lande said that Police had got a tip-off about the presence of around 60-65 Maoists in the forest area of Chunnhatta village under Nauhatta Police Station limits. When Police asked them to surrender after encircling them, the Maoists opened fire. Police returned fire, forcing the Maoists to retreat deep in the forest. One Maoist cadre was arrested during the operation.

Implementation of the MGNREGA is replete with instances of ghost workers, fake job cards, non-existent schemes and siphoning-off public fund in fraudulent manner in CPI-Maoist-affected Gaya District. Eleven job card holders of village Chabura under Konch block of the District deny having either worked or received any payment for MGNREGA work but their names appear on payment register of the panchayat. They allege the local mukhiya along with her husband and a section of government officials siphoned off INR four million on the basis of forged documents. Records show that 400 trees have been planted at Solara village graveyard under Paraiya block of the District. Besides tree plantation, a hand pump was also shown to have been installed. There is no trace of any tree or hand pump.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Dhanik Lal Pandit, was arrested from Bhimbundh forest area in Munger District. Acting on a tip off, the Police raided a hideout and arrested the Maoist, SP Barun Kumar Sinha said.

A joint team consisting of the CRPF and the Police has busted a CPI-Maoist hideout in Jamui District. The Maoists, upon hearing that Police were nearby, fled the hideout after which the joint team closed upon the area and recovered around 500 kilograms of explosives. "The Police carried out search operations for three days continuously and recovered around 500 kilograms of explosives. We have also recovered cylinder bombs, carbines that were looted from the Police and large amount of bullets and gun powder," said Superintendent of Police (SP) of Jamui, Jayant Kant.

PLFI, a splinter group of the CPI-Maoist, claimed responsibility for a bomb blast in Bihar capital, Patna, on March 30, Police said. "A self-styled spokesperson of the PLFI telephoned newspaper and TV channel offices in Patna on Tuesday claiming the group was behind Monday's bomb blast," an official at the Police Headquarters said.

LWEs abducted and killed a landless farmer, identified as Mukhtiyar Bhuyan (33) of Chalidhor village, suspecting him to be a 'police informer', in Aurangabad District of Bihar. The body was found in a field at Wakil Ganj under Madanpur Police Station. Bhuyan was allegedly warned by Maoists earlier Aurangabad SP Babu Ram said a piece of paper with 'TPC- police informer' written on it was recovered from the body.

SF seized a cache of arms and ammunitions from a CPI-Maoist hide out and defused an IED planted by Maoists in Rohtas District of Bihar. The haul of arms and ammunitions comprised of three single bore guns, a country-made pistol, 12 ammunitions, 50 kg ammonium nitrate, 50 kg PEF explosives, 2,350 detonators and four empty plastic boxes. The SFs also defused an IED that the Maoists had planted on the road of Chunhatta village to prevent security men from reaching there.

The CPI-Maoist put up posters at Saraiya village in Jamui District of Bihar, warning residents with dire consequences for working against their interests. Police said the posters stating that a 'Jan Adalat' would be held soon in which people working against the interests of the outfit and extorting funds in its name will be identified and brought to justice. The residents saw the posters and informed the Police following which the CRPF personnel seized them.

SFs and Police arrested eight cadres of the CPI-Maoist after an encounter with them at village Ram Lila Gachi in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Acting on a tip-off of an arrested Maoist, identified as Dhiru Yadav, the SFs comprising CRPF, STF and District Police raided the village in search of scores of Maoists hiding there. The Maoists, however, tried to escape by firing on the SFs who returned the fire in which a Maoist sustained injuries. The injured Maoist was among the eight arrested. Police recovered bombs, one rifle, one pistol, two country-made rifles, many explosives, chargers and uniforms from their possession.

Protesting over the arrest of SAC member Shiv Prasad Singh alias Rohit ji in Jharkhand and ten others from different parts of Bihar during the last one week, CPI-Maoist have given a call for Bihar and Jharkhand bandh from April 26.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Manoj Bhuian, was arrested from Talaliya village under Dumaria Police Station limits in Gaya District. Bhuian was wanted in the murder of two Policemen in the District; SP Manoj Kumar said adding, vital information has been provided by Bhuian during interrogation about Maoist activities in the region.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, carrying a reward of INR 50,000 on his head, identified as Raju Yadav, was arrested from Kokra Mahto Dih village in Jamui District. Acting on a tip off, the Police raided the village and arrested the Maoist who had come to attend a wedding function at his relative's place, ASP, Operations, D.N. Pandey said.

In a joint operation, the Central Reserve Police Force's 215th battalion, Jamui Police and STF recovered explosives from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Jamui District. A raid was conducted after a tip-off was received about the presence of Maoists in the region and 6.5 quintal of ammonium nitrate, used for making explosives, was recovered from the spot, said SP, Jayant Kant. Nine sets of uniform, anti-state banners etc were also among the things recovered from the spot.

A suspected CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Guddu Yadav, was arrested along with arms and explosives from Jhikti village under Khaira Police Station limits in Jamui District. Acting on a tip-off, the CRPF troopers raided the village and arrested the Maoist from his house. A country-made rifle, five live cartridges and ten detonators have been seized from the Maoist.

Bihar Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Md Guddu and Md Sajjad during an anti-Maoist operation at Lakshmipur under Barhat Police Stations limits in Jamui District. Jamui SP Jayant Kant said that the top brass of CPI-Maoist including Pravesh, Chirag and Arvind along with around 60 of their cadres had assembled at a secret place at Lakshmipur. Acting on a tip off the Security Forcers raided the place, however they managed to escape with their arms and ammunition leaving a few including two muskets, 17 pieces of ceilings (a kind of bullet-proof coat), 55 whistle codes (a kind of bullet-proof vest), five magazine pouches,100 handbills making strong appeal to the voters to boycott upcoming assembly polls or face dire consequences and 40 banners in support of the appeal made in the handbills targetting government officials and political leaders.

Acting on intelligence inputs, a CoBRA team of only five members and Bihar State Police personnel arrested 10 CPI-Maoist cadres, including four 'key functionaries' of the outfit in Gaya District. The arrested Maoists, include 'secretary' of 'Magadh Zone' and 'Member' of 'Bihar Regional Committee' Sanjeevan Baitha alias Shravanji, 'Treasurer' of 'Magadh Zone' Gorelal Ramani who carried a reward of INR 300,000 on his head, 'sub-zonal' members Umesh Yadav and Basant Yadav. Five other operatives, including Rajender Yadav, Akhilesh Das alias Paltaji, Basant Manjhi alias Ganuri Manjhi and Sanjay Yadav were arrested from the house of Ramashish Yadav under Koch Police Station limits in Gaya District. Following a lead provided by the arrested Maoists, another active member of the outfit Sunil Kumar Sinha was also arrested from a locality under Civil Lines Police Station in Gaya. The SFs also recovered three country-made guns, 44 rounds of .315 bore ammunition, cash and Maoist literature.

A woman CPI-Maoist cadre was killed and another injured in an encounter with the Police in Gaya District. Acting on a tip off that some Maoists had gathered near Tiletand locality to collect INR 20 million from a construction company on May 16 night, four companies of CRPF's CoBRA battalion rushed there. In the ensuing encounter which continued throughout the night a woman Maoist was killed and another injured, CRPF IG, Bihar-Jharkhand, Arun Kumar said. A walkie talkie, an INSAS rifle and a haul of ammunition were recovered from the spot, Kumar said.

The Maoists engineered IED blasts between Piprahi and Harnahi villages and fired at CRPF personnel engaged in another anti-Maoist operation under Barachatti Police Station area of Gaya District.

The East Champaran Police arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Matar Sahani, Chandradeo Sahani and Munchun Sah, from three different places under Chhoradano and Lakhaura Police Stations limits near Indo-Nepal border. The Police also recovered two pistols and cartridges, details of levy collection and Maoists literatures from their possession. They are being quizzed by Police as they are suspected to be arms suppliers to the Maoists in Bihar. Acting on a tip-off, the Police conducted raid at Majirawa village and arrested the Maoists but the group leader Sheopujan Rai and Manjan Sah managed to escape.

The woman CPI-Maoist cadre who was killed by SFs in an encounter in Bihar has been identified as Sarita alias Urmila Ganjoo, said CRPF IG Arun Kumar. The top ranking Maoist was the wife of Sunil Ganjoo and a resident of Putki village under Simaria Police Station of Chatra District in Jharkhand. She was member of the Bihar-Jharkhand Special area committee and wanted in several cases. She carried a reward of INR 1.5 million her head.

32 trucks were set ablaze, reportedly by CPI-Maoist cadres, on the busy Grand Trunk Road in Gaya District. The incident occurred during a two-day bandh call by the Maoists in the region. The bandh came into effect in the intervening night of May 24-25. The bandh call has been given by the CPI-Maoist to protest against the killing of Sarita aka Urmila Ganjoo, a member of the erstwhile Bihar-Jharkhand 'special area committee', which was replaced by the East Bihar Eastern Jharkhand Special Area, in an encounter with Police on May 17.

Life in major parts of the Sherghati Sub-Division of Gaya District, particularly Dumaria, Imamganj, Banke Bazar and Raushanganj Police Station areas, came to a standstill as CPI-Maoist cadres got markets, road transport, banking services and Government offices closed and a curfew like situation prevailed in the Maoist infested areas. Ambulance and milk vans were 'exempted' from the bandh purview. The Maoists also issued hand written threats to Gaya SSP Manu Maharaj. Traffic on the always busy GT Road came to a halt in the wee hours of May 25 and for the next nearly 10 hours, there was no movement on the road resulting in a nearly 15 km long jam on either side of the place of occurrence on the all important road. The bandh was observed to register protest against the killing of a Woman Maoist leader in a Police encounter in Barachatti Police Station area of the District.

Arjun Prasad, SHO of the Amas Police Station has been put under suspension on the charge of dereliction of duty during the Naxal operation on the all important GT Road. At least 32 trucks were torched by the CPI-Maoist cadres in one of its major operation on the always busy National Highway.

Bandh called by the Maoists was almost total in the Naxal infested Dumaria, Imamganj, Banke Bazar and Raushanganj Police Station areas of Gaya District. It was partial in the Barachatti, Dobhi, Amas and Gurua Police Station areas. Other parts of the District remained more or less unaffected by the bandh.

The CPI-Maoist cadres have burnt down two buses at Belhiya in Sheohar District. Confirming the incident an official said "After the incident, the Security Forces have intensified combing operations against them."

Bihar Police destroyed a bunker of the CPI-Maoist on a hill top near Chatro village under Khaira Police Station limits in Jamui District. Confirming the report, Jamui SP Jayant Kant said a team of security personnel comprising CRPF battalion and the District Police seized 100 kg of amonium nitrate powder, huge quantities of food grains including about half-a-dozen packets of flour bags, mustard oil jars, packets of Amul Spray milk, soap, sanitary napkins, garments, bangles, besides emergency medicines, torches, SIMs of different mobile service providers, and a very powerful telescope. However, the Maoists managed to escape.

CRPF and a unit of STF have jointly launched a massive operation, code named, 'Operation Flush Out' in the dense forests located at the tri-junction of Jamui, Lakhisarai and Munger Districts to drive out the CPI-Maoist cadres.

Police arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Prem Mahto and Mukesh Singh, from Mahamada and Dhanauji villages under Patahi Police Station limits in East Champaran District in connection with the attack on the base camp of a road bridge construction company at village Balua on May 29, 2015.

Saroj Gope, the nephew-cum-manager of contractor Inder Gope engaged in construction of Aango-Bedam-Murki Road of Churchu block, who was abducted by a group of Maoists led by Karu Yadav has returned to his native place in Aurangabad District. The LWEs released him with some message for the contractor.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a brick kiln unit at Purnahiya in Sheohar District and fired at an accounts clerk.

With CPI-Maoist cadres active in parts of Munger District including Dharhara, Haveli Kharagpur and Bariarpur areas, the Police Stations concerned have been allotted new Police vehicles fitted with anti-landmines equipment and technology. The vehicles comes at a price tag of INR 30.8 million. This will encourage Police to move even in the remotest parts of the District in search of Maoists without any fear, said Munger Superintendent of Police (SP) Varun Kumar Sinha. Three such vehicles were given to Kashimbazar Police Station, two vehicles each to Mufassil, Tarapur, Sangrampur, Asarganj, Jamalpur, Dharhara and Bariarpur. Police Stations and one vehicle each was given to East Colony and Jamalpur Police Stations on May 31, the SP added.

Four Maoists were arrested while they were allegedly making plans to extort levy from under-construction infrastructure projects in Muzaffarpur District. Muzaffarpur SSP Ranjit Kumar Mishra said raids were conducted during the early hours on the basis of information provided by hardcore Maoist Dasai Ram, who was arrested in Motihari in East Champaran District on May 31.

Acting on a tip off, a CPI-Maoist 'sub zonal commander', identified as Bihad Yadav, was arrested from the Civil Lines Police Station area of Gaya District.

Four hardcore cadres of PLFI, including its Bihar in-charge Awadehsh Jaiswal alias Abodh alias Chuhwa, were arrested in Patna. The three others arrested were identified as Siddhi Kumar, Santosh Kumar and Suraj Kumar. The organisation was also involved in the high-intensity IED explosion at Bahadurpur Housing Colony in Patna on March 30, 2015.

Around 50 CPI-Maoist cadres attacked the base camp of Gammon India, a road construction company, at Kamtaul village under Kurhani Police Station limits on Muzaffarpur-Hajipur 4-lane road in Muzaffarpur District in the intervening night of June 5-6 and torched five vehicles engaged in road construction work.

A CPI-Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with SFs near Chhuchhiya Maunwar village under Dhibra Police Station area in Aurangabad District. Police said acting on a tip off a team of local Police and CRPF personnel conducted raid at a hide-out where the Maoists had taken shelter. "One Maoist died in an encounter while others managed to escape from the spot," a Police official said adding that the body of the slain Maoist could not be recovered as Maoists escaped from the spot taking the body with them.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sagar Sahni, was arrested from Davaichh village under Tisiauta Police Station limits in Vaishali District.

SFs arrested four CPI-Maoist cadres from a village in Jamui District. Pamphlets and documents related to levy collection and Naxalite activities were seized from their possession.

SFs arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Laxmi Singh Kharwar, with weapons following an encounter with the Maoists near a village in Rohtas District.

The Bihar State Government has asked the Central Government for a helicopter and two battalions of paramilitary troopers for operations against the CPI-Maoist ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the State, an official said.

Acting on intelligence inputs, Bihar Police arrested a top CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Rajak alias Tyagiji alias Shivji alias Baba, carrying INR 500,000 reward on his head and his accomplice - Surendra Manjhi - from Pariyawan village under Ghoshi Police Station limits in Jehanabad District. Jehanabad SP Aditya Kumar said some Maoist literature has been seized from them. Rajak was the CPI-Maoist in-charge of Magadh Zone.

An encounter took place between SF personnel and CPI-Maoist cadres in Nawadih forests under Rupau Police Station limits in Nawada District after the Maoists held three villagers captive. The encounter took place and continued for almost four hours during which several rounds were fired from both sides. However, later the Maoists released all the captive villagers. No casualty was reported.

Police arrested a Maoist, identified as Chandeshwar Razak alias Shivji Dhobi alias Baba, with another associate, Surendra Manjhi, from Atiawan village under Ghosi Police Station limits in Jehanabad District. Razak carries a reward of INR One million on his head in Jharkhand and of INR 500,000 in Bihar.

While observing two day bandh across Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh, the Maoists burnt down eight tractors at Agrail village in Vaishali District and set ablaze a mobile tower at Gausganj village near Paliganj in Patna in separate incidents.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Nand Lal Paswan, was arrested by Bihar State Police from Jokia village under Bhagwanpur Police Station limits in Begusarai District.

CPI-Maoist cadres killed two youths, identified as Laxman Koda (22), Makhru Koda (24), in Jamunia forest under Piri Bazar Police Station limits of Lakhisarai District. The Maoists picked up the youths from Jamunia village last night and shot them dead in a nearby forest, SP Ashok Kumar said. The Maoists killed the two for being 'police informers', the SP added. The bullet-riddled bodies of the youths have been recovered.

A suspected veteran CPI-Maoist, who is accused in several cases of violence and absconding since 1992, was arrested from a place in Paliganj area of Patna District. Patna SSP Vikas Vaibhav said the arrested Maoist has been identified as Indresh Ram. "Indresh has been an important Maoist involved in at least nine cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and violation of Arms Act in Paliganj and Masaurhi Police Station areas. He was absconding for a long time," the SSP said.

The Police recovered more than 12 can bombs from a private lodge in Kankarbagh area in Patna District. SSP Vikash Vaibhav said that on a tip off, Police searched the lodge and recovered the bombs hidden there. The CPI-Maoist cadres are suspected to be behind it, he said.

A Maoist cadre, identified as Mithlesh Ram, was arrested with firearms from Hathori village in Muzaffarpur District.

A huge cache of explosives belonging to the PLFI was recovered from a private lodge at Khemnichak under Ram Krishna Nagar Police Station limits in Patna District. Nine persons have been detained in this connection. Police said around 100 kilograms explosives was recovered from one of the rooms on the first floor of the lodge. Patna SSP Vikas Vaibhav confirmed the recovery of explosives.

Suspected Maoists kidnapped a student from a reputed residential school in Jamui District.

A Maoist cadre, identified as Mithlesh Ram, was arrested with firearms from Hathori village in Muzaffarpur District.

Acting on a tip off, Bihar Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Gulam Mustafa, from a village under Tariyani Police Station limits in Sheohar District. He was arrested while he was extorting from a panchayat head.

With the arrest of four persons, including three CPI-Maoist cadres, Hajipur Police of Vaishali District claimed to have cracked the case of 'levy' demand made from owner of Avon cycle factory at Hajipur. The North Bihar 'zonal committee' of the CPI-Maoist had demanded INR 1.5 million as 'levy' from the owner of a under construction Avon cycle factory on June 26. The Police seized revolutionary literature, laptop containing details of Maoists network, posters, firearms and cell phones from the possession of arrested persons.

The Police arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres, who are wanted in several cases, in Gaya District.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres and a sympathiser were arrested from Thathan in Vaishali District. The four were arrested while they were canvassing for a 'martyrs fair' scheduled to be organised there on July 28 in remembrance of their cadres killed in encounter with Police, SP Rakesh Kumar said. The SP added Maoist literature has been recovered from them.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sanjay alias Nepali, was arrested by a joint team of CRPF and Bihar Police in Jamui District. ASP DN Pandey said that Sanjay was arrested from Dakshini Pahari Lenin village under Chandradeep Police Station limits.

Acting on a tip off, a Police team raided Shastri Nagar locality under Rampur Police Station in Gaya District and arrested a CPI-Maoist 'area commander', identified as Vikas alias Guruji. He was carrying a reward of INR 25,000 on his head.

A Maoist, identified as Vijay Manjhi, was arrested from Amjhar locality under East Colony Police Station area in Munger District.

A group of around 20 CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a bridge construction site in Banka District, thrashing workers, shooting indiscriminately and setting ablaze vehicles stationed there. Banka SP Satya Prakash said nine labourers were injured in the incident, of which three have bullet injuries. The torched vehicles include two SUVs, two tractors, an excavator, an earthmover and a motorcycle.

Poonam, alleged to be a veteran woman leader of the CPI-Maoist, was arrested from Salaiya Police Station area in Gaya District.

A Maoist who was allegedly involved in extortion and provides logistics for CPI-Maoist was arrested in a joint operation by Bihar Police and CRPF in East Champaran District.

200 'commandos' trained in jungle warfare have been deployed at Rajabagh on Koderma-Nawada inter-junction for the last month to secure the Jharkhand-Bihar border ahead of the upcoming assembly election in Bihar. The deployment is part of a pre-poll security exercise to open a forward camp on the Bihar border before the assembly polls.

A huge cache of explosives, suspected to be belonging to the CPI-Maoist, was recovered by the STF of Bihar Police from the forested area near Chhatarpur village under Imamganj Police Station limits in Gaya District. The seized items included 1,000 high-power gelatine sticks, three big cylinder bombs, explosive cords, detonators and other things.

Three Maoists have been arrested from two places in East Champaran District.

CPI-Maoist called for Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar bandh on August 6 in protest against an alleged fake encounter of their regional member, identified as Dr. Shivnandan Bhagat alias Sylvester Minz in Jharkhand on July 25, 2015.

Bihar Police arrested six CPI-Maoist cadres including 'an area commander' from two different places in Aurangabad District and claimed they were trying to commit a big incident on the occasion of their bandh call across three States (Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand).

A group of armed CPI-Maoist cadres attacked a construction site of a canal in Banka District, assaulting the workers and set ablaze two excavator machines and a tractor.

SFs recovered three high intensity IEDs from a roadside at Luchitand village in Gaya District. While one IED weighed 25 kg, two others were 20 kg each, SSP Manu Maharaj said.

Cadres of the CPI-Maoist beheaded one person, alleging him to be a police informer, near the upgraded middle school in Charaiyan village under Charkapathar Police Station area of Sono block on the Sono-Khaira road in Jamui District. Handwritten posters with the message, 'Saar kalam kar diya gaya. Jan adalat ka yahi faisla hai police ki mukhbiri karne ke liye' (has been beheaded. The jan adalat took this decision for a police informer), were strewn around the body.

CPI-Maoist threatened to eliminate four Police officers including Gaya District SSP Manu Maharaj to avenge the killing of a woman Maoist 'commander' in a shootout, Police said. "Maoists diktat to kill four Police officers, including Maharaj, came to the notice of Police when they recovered some handwritten posters from three Maoists arrested from a village in Aurangabad District," Aurangabad SP Babu Ram said. The Maoists have also threatened to kill CoBRA Commandant Neeraj Kumar, CRPF Company Commandant Om Prakash Tiwari and Inspector of Barachatti Police Station Ravi Prakash Singh.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sona Ram Marandi, was arrested with arms and ammunition from Batpar village under Chakai Police Station area in Jamui District. Acting on a tip off, a joint team of Jamui Police and STF raided the village and arrested the Maoist. He is a close associate of Chirag Da, an 'area commander' of CPI-Maoist of Bihar and Jharkhand region. Two detonators, two cartridges, explosive materials and a looted motorcycle have been recovered from him.

A suspected CPI-Maoist cadre was arrested and a Maoist camp was destroyed during search operation at Bhalua forest in Jamui District.

SFs at Bihar's Banka town, Banka District, arrested seven CPI-Maoist cadres from a bus stand. They were arrested after a tip-off alarmed senior Police officials in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to neighbouring Bhagalpur District on September 1. Five of the seven Maoists have been identified as Pappu Yadav, Ashok Tanti, Mangal Singh, Pankaj Yadav and Vimal Rai. Banka SP Satyaprakash said the arrested Maoists belonged to Mantu Khaira group and were involved in several cases. Five pistols, 20 to 25 liters of petrol, ropes, Maoists literature were recovered from their possession.

Bihar State Home Department urged the Central Government to arm Bihar with 700 companies of CPMF to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in the State. The election, likely to be held in multiple phases, is slated for October-November, 2015. The Centre has so far cleared 500 companies of Central Forces for poll-bound Bihar.

The CRPF, State Police and STF personnel have intensified anti-CPI-Maoist operations in the State prior to elections. "A joint team of CRPF, State Police and STF would launch operation 'Kaimur-Fateh' in Rohtas and Kaimur hills on Wednesday. This operation will be conducted in two phases to keep the area free of left wing extremists," said a CRPF Deputy Commandant.

Eight CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from Hathauri Police Station area in Muzaffarpur District. Two country-made pistols, four live cartridges, six detonators, Maoist literature and handwritten leaflets were recovered from their possession.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested with a haul of arms from a hideout near Ghogha locality in Arwal District. Acting on a tip off, the Police raided the hideout and apprehended the Maoists, one of whom is identified as Rajnish Sharma alias Panditjee, DSP Santosh Kumar Rai said. A country-made carbine, one rifle and six rounds of cartridge were recovered from the Maoists' possession, he said.

Para-military forces and the District Police engaged in anti-CP-Maoist operation recovered over 400 kg of IEDs planted by the Naxals from the dense forest areas of Lakhisarai District.

Birendra Yadav, a CPI-Maoist cadre, was arrested at Guraidih village under Fullidumar block in Banka District. He is believed to be a close associate of Maoist 'area commander' Mantu Khaira and was involved in several incidents of violence.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Subhra Munda, was arrested while few others managed to escape during a joint combing operation of SFs at Baskatwa forest in Gaya District. SSP Manu Maharaj said after getting information that some Maoists were camping in the forest, a joint team of SFs cordoned off the area and launched search operation. At least 200 rounds of fire were exchanged during the operation. The SSP added the exchange of firing continued till September 18. The Police have recovered 27 cartridges, five mobile phones, three mobile chargers and five solar plates.

CPI-Maoist started feeling the heat of CPMF ahead of the five-phase Assembly elections in Bihar. Over 12 Maoists were arrested and a huge quantity of explosives was seized during operations in the past 24 hours.

In Gaya District of Bihar, SFs destroyed a Maoist training camp during an operation in Baskatwa hilly terrain, adjacent to the Jharkhand border. Six rebels, including a senior leader, were also arrested. Apart from walkie-talkies, IEDs and illegal arms and ammunition were also recovered. Gaya SSP Manu Maharaaj said: "Security forces found a full-fledged hospital being run by the Maoists in the deep forests, which share border with Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. The hospital used to treat rebels injured in encounters with security personnel."

With elections barely three weeks away, 307 companies of CAPF have so far reached Bihar and 418 companies are expected to arrive by September 23. In addition, the Bihar government will deploy from its own pool 250 companies of Bihar Military Police and DAP on poll duty.

Banka District administration of Bihar faces a daunting task as more than 500 polling booths fall in the Maoist-hit areas. There are 1,321 polling booths in the District and Maoist threat looms large over more than 40 per cent of them. The District goes to the polls on October 12.

An 'area commander' of TPC was arrested by SFs from Bihar's Rohtas District along with arms and ammunition. Rohtas SP Manavjit Singh Dhillon said Ram Dular Kharwar alias Nawaljee was caught during a combing operation by SFs from Rahel village under Nauhatta Police Station. The SFs, comprising the CRPF and Bihar Police seized a country-made rifle, six live ammunition of AK-47, 50 detonators and 13 packets of IED from him.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before the Police in Gaya District of Bihar, wishing to be integrated into the mainstream. The Bihar Police has been running a campaign called 'Operation Vishwas', or 'Operation Believe', wherein they encourage those beguiled by LWEs into a life of crime and exploitation, to join mainstream.

SFs recovered three can bombs, wire and LWE literature from a CPI-Maoist hideout in Rohtas District. The SFs comprising the CRPF and the Rohtas Police launched a search operation in Dumarkhoha forests from where they seized three can bombs, one of which weighing five kg and two others at two kg each, besides wire and LWE literature, SP Manavjeet Singh Dhillon said.

Five PLFI cadres were arrested from Hilsa market area in Nalanda District. Acting on a tip-off, four persons were arrested from Hilsa market area, while the fifth one was arrested later based on information provided by the arrested cadres, said SP Vivekanand. The Police recovered four country-made pistols, 25 rounds of cartridges, six cell phones and LWE literature from their possession.

CPI-Maoist posters and handbills calling for poll boycott and cautioning the polling personnel and officials not to ride Police vehicles have surfaced just five days ahead of polling in Belhar assembly segment in Banka District of Bihar. More than half a dozen Maoist posters and hand bills in Hindi and red and blue colours were found on the roadside trees between Kharanda Mor and Navi Bandh villages on Belhar-Banka main road under Belhar Police Station. Police sources said this area is considered a stronghold of hardcore Maoist Mantu Khaira, the 'sub-zonal commander' of the outfit.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were arrested from ?Ajimabad Police Station area in Bhojpur District of Bihar. Ara SP Navin Chandra Jha said, "During a combing operation ahead of assembly polls, the security personnel arrested three members of CPI (Maoist) and seized five cylinder bombs, ?two can bombs, six electronic detonators from their possession." He further added that the Maoists have confessed that they were carrying the explosives to use them before election. Bhojpur is going to polls in the third phase of Bihar assembly election, polling date on October 26. The Maoists have declared boycott of the assembly election.

Police arrested a CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Sunil Dangi, along with material used for landmine explosions and other documents in Gaya District of Bihar.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Vinod Yadav, was arrested during a joint operation in Mathurapur village in Gaya District. SSP Manu Maharaj said that on the basis of information obtained from the arrested Maoist, the Police seized four cane bombs, each weighing 30 kg from Mathurapur village. A large quantity of explosives was also recovered from Dumaria village and other places falling under Imamganj Assembly constituency, the SSP added.

49 constituencies which went to polls in the first phase of Bihar assembly elections recorded a "historic" turnout of 57 per cent. The Election Commission said the turnout is likely to go up by "one or two per cent" as the final reports were yet to come in from the field. Barring a "few incidents", the polling in the constituencies located in 10 Districts which are affected by LWE went off peacefully, Deputy Election Commissioner in-charge of Bihar Umesh Sinha said.

Bihar Police recovered a live bomb weighing around 25 kilograms which was reportedly placed by CPI-Maoist under a bridge in the Dhangai area of Aurangabad District.

One SAP trooper Surendra Kumar Jaiswal was beaten to death and six other Policemen, including a SHO, were injured when villagers attacked a Police team which had gone to arrest a CPI-Maoist cadre in Kushmahat village under Nima Chandpura Police Station limits in Begusarai District of Bihar. SP Manoj Kumar said on a tip-off that a Maoist operative Bauna Sada was hiding in Kushmahat village, a Police team raided the village and arrested him. However, the villagers started hurling stones at the Police team and freed the Maoist, the SP said adding, the Police opened fire in its defence.

A woman Maoist, Basanti Devi alias Sona Devi (40), a resident of Beldar Bigha village under Konch Police Station in Gaya District of Bihar and 'secretary' of Nari Mukti Sangh since 2008, has been arrested in Bihar.

A Maoist, identified as Kamta Ji (50), was arrested from his hideout in Digha area in Patna District of Bihar. He is a member of Bihar-Jharkhand-North Chhattisgarh 'special area committee'.

A Maoist, identified as Rambilash Paswan alias Budhan Paswan, a 'sub-zonal commander' has been arrested from Gaya District.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres including a woman surrendered before the Police in Gaya District of Bihar. They have been identified as Bachchu Yadav and Koshila Devi.

Acting on a tip off, the Police raided Orwatand village in Gaya District of Bihar and arrested three CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Manoj Yadav, Ramesh Kumar and Sanju Yadav.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Chandan Kumar, was arrested with large quantity of ammunition from Karamdih village under Dev Police Station area in Aurangabad District.

Police arrested a Maoist, identified as Bipin Vishwakarma, who was running an arms factory for many years in Gaya District. Upon interrogation, Vishwakarma led the Police to the arrest of another person Mohammad Sakib, who was supplying arms to the Maoists and criminals from his motor parts shop. Vishwakarma was earlier arrested in 1994 along with another hardcore Maoist Kirani Yadav, who is currently lodged in prison. Apart from various tools used in making weapons, Police recovered pistols, drill machines, bullets, gun barrels and shells too.

Three hardcore CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Sanjay Yadav, Nageshwar Singh and Anandi Singh alias Anand Kishore Singh, surrendered before the Police in Aurangabad District. They also handed over a rifle snatched from the Police, a carbine and 14 rounds of cartridges. SP Aurangabad Babu Ram said "Sanjay was a member of the Maoists' sub-zonal committee and Bihar government had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh over his head. Nageshwar was an area commander of the outfit while Anandi was the sub-zonal commander of the CPI (Maoist). They surrendered before a large number of villagers who had been invited to attend the programme organized at Madanpur. Their family members were also present on the occasion. It is for the first time in Aurangabad that the Maoists surrendered at a public programme. It was organized to encourage more Maoists to join the mainstream."

An Independent woman MLA of Bihar Baby Kumari received a message from CPI-Maoist demanding INR 10 million. The MLA has lodged a complaint with the Police following the message received on her mobile phone. The message said "Listen Babyji, if you want your safety, then give Rs. 1 crore to our organization. Otherwise, your family will be in trouble… Lal Salam."

SFs destroyed a training camp being run by the CPI-Maoist in a forest near Kumartari village in Jamui District, a Police officer said. Scores of Maoists present at the training camp managed to escape deep into the forest with arms and ammunition and left behind two trunks containing uniform, belt, shoes, magazine, and medicine, besides Maoist literature all of which have been seized.