GAYA: A Maoist zonal commander carrying Rs10 lakh reward on his head and one of their informers were killed in an encounter at village Mahuari under Barachatti police station area in Sherghati subdivision of the district on late Saturday evening. They were identified as Alok Yadav and Vikas of village Rohi under Barachatti police station area. A policeman and two villagers also sustained injuries during the encounter.
“Police have recovered one AK-56 and an Insas rifle, two magazines of AK-56, 165 cartridges of AK-56, one Insas magazine, 10 cartridges of Insas rifle and some other explosove items,” Gaya SSP Rajiv Mishra said on Sunday. The Jharkhand government had announced Rs10 lakh reward on Alok’s head.
Only a few hours before the encounter, the Maoists had killed Virendra Yadav, brother-in-law of Nagarpurdih panchayat mukhiya, and his associate Jairam Yadav, at Mahuari where they had reached to enjoy a cultural programme organized on the occasion of Chhath. On getting information about the double-murder, Barachatti police, along with 205 CoBRA (composite battalion for resolute action) jawans launched a search operation. They received information about the Maoists’ presence at Mahuari. The security personnel cordoned off the area after which Maoists opened fire. The security personnel retaliated and more than 100 rounds of fire were exchanged from both sides.
Mishra said while Alok’s body was recovered from the encounter site, police found Vikas dead during search operation as he had managed to escape after getting injured. “Another Maoist supporter Vijay, who was also injured in the encounter, later got caught. He is undergoing treatment at ANMMCH under police custody. Vijay told the police that he along with Vikas and one Jitendra had reached the village on a motorcycle to kill Virendra. Vikas, who acted as informer, had old enmity with Virendra. The family members of Virendra have demanded arms licence. We have asked them to apply for the same,” the SSP said.
Virendra was on the Maoists’ target for long and had been living in Barachatti. He had come to his village on Chhath. Earlier, the Maoists had killed his brother in Sasaram.
It was the second incident within a week after the Maoists had blown up a portion of a community building at village Bodhi Bigha under Dumaria police station area on last Sunday. They had left a pamphlet at the blast site and demanded Rs2 crore as levy from former BJP MLC Anuj Singh.