The last fortnight of 2024 concluded rather largely peacefully. Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the Maoists to lay down arms, join the mainstream and avail of the surrender and rehabilitation scheme. While a few surrenders of Maoists have been reported an important arrest of a Maoist leader and other cadres was made in different States.
The deputy chief of Jamat-ud-Dawa, Hafiz Rahman died in Lahore due to health issues. Separately, five terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bangladesh High Court commuted the life sentence of ULFA chief Paresh Baruah, while the Union Home Ministry constituted a tribunal to revisit the proscription of ULFA. In Manipur, a few cadres of the KCP PW were arrested. On the other, Utttar Pradesh police killed three terrorists of the Khalistan Zindabad Force.
Destruction or seizure of narcotics was made in Jammu, Kashmir and Assam.
Home Minster asks Naxals to shun arms
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met people who gave up arms and joined the mainstream of the society in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, December 15, 2024.
Mr Shah said many youths in Naxalism-affected areas have similarly joined the mainstream, and now the Government of India is formulating a comprehensive plan for the welfare of these individuals and those suffering from the impact of Naxalism. [1]
He praised the Chhattisgarh government's surrender policy as one of the best, and expressed the intention to replicate this model nationwide, aiming to rehabilitate the youth who have laid down their arms and help them rejoin the mainstream of society.
Maoist DKSZC member arrested
Police in Chhattisgarh, on December 23, 2024, arrested one of the main links between the top leadership of the Maoists and their urban network. Prabhakar Rao, 57, was arrested in Kanker district. According to police, he is a relative of one of the top Maoist leaders, Central Committee Member (CCM) Muppala Lakshmana Rao. Prabhakar, who is also known as Balmuri Narayan Rao, joined the Maoists as a teenager in 1984 and has been active for the last four decades. He is a member of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the Maoists.
NIA charge sheet against Maoist CCM
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 19, 2024, charge-sheeted a Central Committee Member (CCM) of the CPI-Maoist leader, Sabyasachi Goswami alias Pankaj alias Ajay alias Kishore alias BKS alias Bikash Da alias Babu, for propagating the ideology of the CPI-Maoist outfit. The supplementary charge sheet was filed before the NIA special court in the Ranchi District, Jharkhand against Sabyasachi Goswami. [2]
Sabyasachi, who was active in the Assam and West Bengal region, was among several top Maoist leaders across India who were actively propagating the ideology of CPI-Maoist and promoting its activities.
NIA searches in Maoist NRB revival case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 20, 2024, searched multiple locations in five States in connection with a case relating to attempts of revival of the banned CPI (Maoist) in the Northern Regional Bureau (NRB) region. [3] Extensive searches were conducted at the premises of suspects at two locations in Patiala and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, Punjab, four locations in Manesar and Gurgaon districts, Haryana, two locations in New Delhi, and one location each in Patna district of Bihar and Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. The suspects whose premises were searched today were believed to be involved in propagating the ideology of CPI (Maoist) and revival of its NRB wing through various frontal organisations.
Five Maoists arrested
Five Maoists, including two with a reward money of Rs Rs 4 lakh, were arrested, on December 21, 2024, in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Two of the arrestees were identified as leaders Muchaki Hunga, alias Jatti, and Kawasi Gangi, linked to Maoist and Adivasi groups. [4] Jatti was linked to the Pidmel Revolutionary Party Committee of Maoists, while Gangi led the Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan (KAMS). The group was involved in the killing of a villager in 2024.
Two Maoists surrender in Gadchiroli
Ramasu Poyam (55) and Ramesh Kunjam (25), CPI (Maoist) cadres, carrying a cumulative head money of Rs eight lakh surrendered to Gadchiroli Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Gadchiroli District, Maharashtra, on December 20, 2024, media reports said. [5]
JuD deputy chief dies
Mumbai attacks (July 2006) mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s brother-in-law and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) deputy chief Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki died of a heart attack in Lahore, on December 27, 2024. [6]
According to the JuD Makki had been ill for the past few days and was undergoing treatment following high diabetes at a private hospital in Lahore. He was handed down six months-imprisonment in a terror financing case in 2020 by an anti-terrorism court. In 2023, Makki was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations, subjecting him to an assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
NIA charge sheet in Katra terror attack, J&K
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 14, 2024, filed the charge sheet in the case relating to the fatal terrorist attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori, Ransoo to Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. In its charge sheet before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, the agency has charged the arrested accused Hakam Khan @ Hakim Din under various sections of IPC and UAPA. [7]
The attack took place on June 9, 2024, when unknown terrorists had opened indiscriminate firing at the bus when it reached Kanda near Jhandi Morh. Eight pilgrims as well as the bus driver were killed, and 41 pilgrims were seriously injured in the attack.
Fiver terrorists killed in Kulgam, J&K
At least five terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on December 18, 2024, media reports said. Two security forces personnel sustained injuries in the operation. [8] Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kadder in the Behibagh area of the district following information about the presence of suspected terrorists there, an official said.
Paresh Baruah’s life sentenced commuted
The Bangladesh High Court, on December 18, 2024, reduced the death sentence of ULFA leader Paresh Baruah to life imprisonment in the 2004 Chattogram arms smuggling case. The court also acquitted former junior minister for home Lutfuzzaman Babar, and five others previously sentenced to death in connection with the case.
Baruah, a fugitive believed to be living in China, was convicted in absentia in 2014. He remains on India's National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) 'most wanted' list. [9]
12 KCP-PWG cadres arrested in Manipur
Manipur Police arrested 10 Kangleipak Communist Party-People's War Group (KCP-PWG) cadres, on December 16, 2024, along with arms and ammunition from three separate locations in Kakching District of Manipur,[10] including Kakching Lamkhai, Kakching Mamang Ching Laipham Loknung and Kakching Ching Kakpham. The arrested cadres were identified as Irengbam Rameshwar Singh (48), Elangabm Herojit Singh (40), Heikrujam Prem (28), Okram Arundatta (30), Senjam Rebingson (27), Okram Amarjit (31), Aribam Ghanendrajit Sharma (25), Chongtham Rajkumar (26), Lisham Premananda Meitei alias Poirei (45) and James Ningthoujam (44).
Separately, on December 26, 2024, Manipur police have arrested two active members of the KCP (PW) from Imphal West district who were involved in extortion, a police statement said. [11] They have been identified as Md Imtiaz Khan and Irengbam Gulapi Singh. Reportedly, the two militants were involved in extortion activities were arrested from the Awang Wanagai Lamkhai area of the district.
Besides, reports of December 25, 2024 said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a major development constituted, on December 23, 'The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal' to adjudicate whether or not there is sufficient cause to declare the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), with all its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association. [12] MHA had already declared in November ULFA as an unlawful organisation.
Three KZF terrorists killed
Three terror suspects allegedly involved in the grenade attack in Gurdaspur were killed in an encounter with a joint team of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police in Pilibhit, on December 23, 2024. They were identified as Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18), all residents of Punjab’s Gurdaspur. [13]
Drone with narcotics seized in Jammu
A Pakistani drone carrying nearly half a kg of high-grade narcotic substance was seized by the Border Security Force (BSF), on December 14, 2024, near the International Border in Arnia sector, Jammu. [14] The quadcopter entered India from across the border and was seized from the Chinaz Border Outpost area in the Arnia sector. Confirming the recovery, a BSF spokesperson said a smuggling attempt was foiled by the alert troops with the successful interception of the Pakistani drone along with 495 grams of narcotic substance.
Two people arrested along with narcotics in J&K
Jammu and Kashmir Police, on December 15, 2024, in a joint operation with the Indian Army arrested two local people along with approximately five kilograms of heroin from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the border area in Sair-Makri village, Rajouri District, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The seized narcotics was reported to have been smuggled from across the LoC and meant to fund terror activities. [15]
Narcotics worth one crore destroyed in J&K
Police in Sopore, Jammu and Kashmir, destroyed narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances worth over Rs 1 crore, media reports said on December 20, 2024. A police official said that the narcotics were destroyed by a District Drug Disposal Committee. The consignments of drugs were seized in 21 different NDPS cases registered in different police stations. [16] Similarly, Police Station Chadoora attached land measuring 9 Marlas and 7 Marlas situated at Moza Nowgam of district Srinagar, a residential house situated at Nowgam Srinagar worth Rs 63.7 lakh belonging to Muhammad Ayoub Beigh, resident of Nowhar Chadoora. In another operation, police in Magam attached a two-wheeler Scooty and a double-storeyed residential house situated at Badran Magam worth Rs 18.84 lakh belonging to Irfan Ahmad Lone, alias Raja, and Ghulam Mohammad Lone, residents of Badran Magam.
94 NDPS cases in Srinagar in 2024
Police in Srinagar said, December 24, 2024, that 94 cases under the NDPS Act have been registered in several police stations across the district while 156 accused in peddling have been arrested this year. In a handout issued here, police said that 26 notorious drug peddlers have been booked under Act and lodged in different jails of the UT after obtaining formal detention orders from the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. [17]
Narcotics worth Rs 20 cr seized in Assam
In a crackdown on narcotics trade in Assam, Cachar Police seized a massive consignment of YABA tablets and heroin valued at approximately Rs 20 crore in the black market, on December 21, 2024. [18] The operation was conducted on the outskirts of Silchar in Sildubi area.
Underworld don Dawood-aide arrested
Maharashtra police, on December 13, 2024, arrested Danish Merchant alias Danish Chikna, along with his associate Kader Gulam Sheikh, an aide of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, in connection with drug operations. [19] The arrest was done after an investigation that started with the initial arrest of Mohammed Ashikur Sahidur Rahman on November 8, and Rehan Shakeel Ansari on unspecified date in November, 2024. The investigation revealed that both Rahman and Ansari were linked to the procurement of drugs from Danish Merchant and Qadir Fanta.
NIA searches 17 locations in four States
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on December 18, 2024, searched 17 locations in four States/UT in an inter-state arms trafficking case. Searches were conducted at the premises of 15 accused/suspects at 17 locations in the States of Bihar (12 locations), Nagaland (3 locations), Haryana and location) and J&K (one location). The 11 suspects whose premises were searched were linked with previously arrested and charge sheeted four accused in the case RC-11/2024/NIA/DLI. [20]
Home attends SSB raining-day event
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on December 20, 2024, participated in the 61st raising day function of Shasastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Siliguri, West Bengal. He said the SSB has played a pivotal role in making Bihar and Jharkhand Naxal-free after almost four decades. He said that the Siliguri Corridor is a very important area of eastern India and the deployment of SSB here is a reason for reassurance and confidence for the whole nation. He said that due to vigilance of the SSB, we have been successful in creating an environment of trust in the eastern region. [21]
Endnotes
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2084657
[2] https://timesofindia.indiatime s.com/city/ranchi/nia-files-charge-sheet-against-top-maoist/articleshow/116480401.cms
[3] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1867_1_PR201220243.pdf
[4] https://theprint.in/india/five-naxals-arrested-in-chhattisgarhs-sukma-district-2/2414718/
[5] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharashtra-2-maoists-carrying-price-reward-of-rs-8-lakh-surrender-citing-frustration-over-violence-against-civilians-2653159-2024-12-20
[6] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pak-based-lets-dy-chief-dies/
[7] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1858_1_PR14122024.pdf
[8] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/five-terrorists-gunned-down-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-kulgam/#google_vignette
[9] https://assamtribune.com/assam/bangladesh-hc-commutes-paresh-baruahs-death-sentence-to-life-1561606
[10] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/10-rebels-nabbed-in-kakching/articleshow/116408982.cms
[11] https://assamtribune.com/north-east/two-active-kcp-pwg-members-arrested-in-manipur-1562523
[12] https://assamtribune.com/assam/mha-forms-tribunal-to-review-ulfas-ban-as-unlawful-association-1562262
[13] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/grenade-attack-in-gurdaspur-three-khalistan-zindabad-force-members-gunned-down-in-encounter/#google_vignette
[14] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pak-drone-with-narcotics-seized/
[15] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2-held-5-kg-heroin-loc-jammu-kashmir-rajouri-9727339/
[16] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/police-destroy-narcotics-worth-over-rs-1-cr/
[17] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/94-ndps-cases-registered-in-srinagar-during-2024/
[18] https://assamtribune.com/assam/cachar-police-seize-drugs-worth-rs-20-cr-one-held-1561959
[19] https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-dawood-ibrahims-aide-danish-merchant-arrested-in-drug-case-police-seek-further-leads
[20] https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/nia-raids-at-17-places-in-4-states-including-jk/
[21] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086520
