Latehar Police Unearth Arms Cache in Tiger Reserve Following Maoist Arrests
In a significant breakthrough, Latehar police have recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). This operation was conducted based on critical inputs provided by two arrested Maoists, as confirmed by authorities on Thursday.
Details of the Seized Weapons
The arms were discovered buried approximately 1.5 feet below the earth in the Mirchaiya Forest of the Garu range within PTR. The seized arsenal included three rifles, notably an Insas and an AK-30, along with 170 live cartridges, three magazines, and an ammunition pouch. This recovery highlights the ongoing efforts to combat naxal activities in the region.
Arrests and Interrogation
Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav revealed that two veteran Maoists, Mirtunjay Bhuiyan (42) and Bablu Ram (22), were arrested on March 14. Mirtunjay, identified as a zonal commander, had a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head, while Bablu carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh. An FIR was registered against them at the Chhipadohar police station on the same day before they were forwarded to judicial custody.
Police subsequently took them on a five-day remand for questioning. SP Gaurav stated, "Both confessed to their history of naxal crimes and gave us leads about the hidden arms and ammunition which they had buried under different police station limits of Garu." This confession directly led to the recovery operation.
Additional Recoveries on Arrest Day
On the day of their arrest, police had already recovered a range of items from the Maoists, including:
- An AK-47 rifle
- 21 rounds of live fire
- A wireless set and radio
- A tablet device
- Two watches
- Four SIM cards
- Maoist literature and audio clips
These items underscore the operational capabilities and resources of the arrested individuals, further emphasizing the importance of this police action in disrupting naxal networks in the area.
Context and Implications
This recovery operation is part of broader efforts to enhance security in the Palamu Tiger Reserve, a region that has seen sporadic naxal activity. The successful interrogation and subsequent arms seizure demonstrate effective police work in leveraging intelligence from arrested suspects to preempt potential threats. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of both wildlife and local communities in the reserve.
About the Author: MF Ahmad covers Palamu and Latehar districts, writing extensively on wildlife and human interest stories, providing in-depth insights into regional developments.
