27 Maoists surrender in Jharkhand, hunt continues for last active Politburo member

A total of 27 Maoists allegedly linked to CPI (Maoist) leader Misir Besra are set to surrender before the Jharkhand Police on Thursday in what officials described as the largest mass surrender of Maoist cadres in the state so far. Police said the surrender is being carried out under Operation “Navjeevan,” launched under the Jharkhand government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy for Maoist cadres. Officials confirmed that operations to trace Misir Besra, identified as the last active Politburo member of the banned outfit, are still underway.

According to police officials, the surrendered cadres include members associated with the groups led by Misir Besra, also known as Sagar Ji, and Asim Mandal, who operates in the Kolhan and Saranda regions. Among those surrendering are six Special Zonal Committee Members, six Area Committee Members and 13 squad members linked to CPI (Maoist). Two cadres belonging to the Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad, an armed Maoist group active in Gumla district, are also part of the surrender process.

Police said the cadres surrendered with 17 weapons and nearly 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Officials stated that the Maoists had been active across West Singhbhum and nearby districts and possessed extensive knowledge of forested and hilly terrain in the Saranda and Kolhan areas. Anti-Maoist operations are currently being conducted jointly by the Jharkhand Police, CRPF CoBRA battalions and Jharkhand Jaguar forces across several Maoist-affected regions.

According to police, sustained security operations, increasing pressure from security forces and internal exploitation within Maoist organisations contributed to the decision of several cadres to surrender and return to mainstream society. Officials also stated that 21 new Advanced Camp Locations and Forward Operating Bases have recently been established in the Saranda region to strengthen security deployment and operational reach in affected areas.

Police data released by the state government stated that, so far in 2026, 44 Maoists have been arrested, 29 have surrendered and 22 have been killed in encounters across Jharkhand. Security agencies have appealed to remaining Maoist cadres to surrender and avail benefits provided under the state government’s rehabilitation policy for former insurgents.