Patna: After launching intensive operations to rid the hills of the dreaded Maoists who have been operating from there for years, authorities in Jharkhand state have now tightened the noose around their wives.
As part of this campaign, the state government has announced cash rewards on the heads of top Maoist leaders’ wives who have emerged as a new challenge for them.
As per reports received from police sources, wives of top leaders, such as Prashant Bose, politbureau member, Vivek alias Prayag, central committee member, Sudhakar Reddy, leader from Telangana zone, Vishwanath, central technical committee member, and Aptan, a prominent leader, are active in the Maoist organisation and hold top posts.
Based on intelligence inputs, police have now announced cash rewards on the heads of the Maoist spouses and called for information about their whereabouts.
The woman who figures on the top of the “Most Wanted” list is Sheela who carries a reward of Rs10 million (Dh550,118) on her head. Sheela who is said to be a central committee member is the wife of Prashant Bose who too carried the equal reward on his head.
Another female Maoist leader Jaya alias Chinta carries a reward of Rs2.5 million on her head. Jaya who happens to be a member of Special Area Committee (North-East Jharkhand) is wife of central committee member Vivek alias Prayag who carries a reward of Rs10 million on his head. According to a police report, the woman is part of a Maoist squad headed by Sahdeo Soren alias Amalesh alias Anuj.
Poonam, a zonal commander in Jharkhand region, on the other hand, carries a reward of Rs1 million on her head. She is wife of central technical committee member Vishwanath who is said to have expertise in manufacturing explosive devices and high-intensity bombs. He carries a reward of Rs2.5 million on his head.
Apart from them, the police have also the information about three other female Maoist leaders quite active within the organization, and have chalked out strategy to nab them. They include Merina Sirka, wife of Maoist leader Aptan, Rinki, wife of MBBS Dr Rafiq who is said to have treated Prashant Bose and Amita, wife of a Maoist leader Kande Honhaga.
Authorities stepped up pressures on these female leaders after the some top Maoist commanders nabbed by the police revealed about their activities.
Jharkhand happens to be one Indian states badly affected by Maoist activities. According to reports, of the total 24 districts, 18 are said to be in the grip of left-wing extremism. The fresh challenge before the police is that several Maoist splinter groups too have increased their activities in recent years, adding to their worry.
