Jharkhand’s two decade-long fight against Maoist violence has brought an end to the existence of around a dozen outfits that once operated across its forests and remote districts. The campaign came at a heavy cost, with more than 600 security personnel and officers losing their lives over the years. Alongside sustained operations, surrender and rehabilitation policies and efforts to take development to remote villages gradually weakened the organisational base of the insurgent groups.
How the Maoist Network Lost its Ground
The Maoist movement in Jharkhand began with the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and subsequently saw the emergence of several organisations and splinter groups. The CPI (Maoist) became the largest among them, while groups such as the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) and Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) remained active in different pockets. Security operations targeted their leadership, arms and ammunition supply routes and support networks. At the same time, the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy provided an avenue for cadres willing to return to mainstream life.
Four Major Outfits Dominated for Years
The four organisations that remained active for a substantial period were CPI (Maoist), PLFI, TPC and JJMP. TPC had a strong presence in coal-producing areas, including Chatra, Latehar, Palamu, Hazaribagh and parts of Ranchi. PLFI emerged after the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT) was banned and was associated with terror funding and extortion activities. Smaller outfits such as the Jharkhand Prastuti Committee, Armed People’s Front, Sangharsh Jan Mukti Morcha, Jhangur Group, Pahadi Chita and Shanti Sena also operated for shorter periods. Many of these groups either disappeared, became inactive or saw their members move into other criminal networks.
Major Maoist Organisations Active in Jharkhand Over the Past Two Decades
- People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) : Considered one of the oldest Maoist organisations in the country. Its emergence was followed by the armed uprising in Naxalbari in West Bengal, which inspired sections of youth to take up arms against the state and led to the emergence of the term “Naxalite”.
- CPI (Maoist) : The Communist Party of India (Maoist) emerged after the PLGA and expanded its activities across Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, among other states. It went on to become the largest Maoist organisation in the country, advocating armed opposition to the state.
- Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC): The TPC was formed by members who broke away from the CPI (Maoist). It operated as a parallel Maoist outfit and was particularly active in coal-producing areas. The group maintained a significant presence for a long period in districts including Chatra, Latehar, Palamu, Hazaribagh and Ranchi.
- Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP): The organisation was initially formed against the Maoists but later adopted a Maoist ideology. It subsequently emerged as a significant militant outfit. Its activities also raised questions over the role of some of its leaders, who had earlier been associated with security forces in operations against Maoists. The organisation has since ceased to have a significant presence in Jharkhand.
- Samrat Gang: The outfit operated along the Ranchi-Khunti border and was involved in activities including timber smuggling. It recruited several youths and later attempted to establish itself along Maoist lines. However, its influence did not last for long.
- Jharkhand Liberation Tigers (JLT): Dinesh Gope broke away from the Samrat Gang, led by Jayanath Sahu, and formed the Jharkhand Liberation Tigers in the Ranchi-Khunti region. After the organisation was banned, Gope subsequently formed the People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI).
- People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI): After the JLT was banned, Dinesh Gope formed the PLFI and continued Maoist-related activities for a considerable period. Terror funding and extortion were among its major activities. The organisation has since ceased to operate as a significant outfit.
Other Groups That Remained Active for Shorter Periods
Several smaller Maoist and splinter groups also operated in Jharkhand for shorter periods.
- Jharkhand Prastuti Committee (JPC)
- Armed People’s Front (SPM)
- Sangharsh Jan Mukti Morcha (SJMM)
- Jhangur Group
- Pahadi Chita
- Shanti Sena
These smaller groups and splinter outfits also posed challenges for businesses and local communities in areas where they operated. Over time, most of them ceased to exist as organised Maoist groups, while some members moved into other criminal networks.
The decline of these groups also changed the operating environment for businesses and development agencies. For years, coal operations, road and bridge construction, transportation of construction material and even schools and hospitals were affected by levy demands. Operations described as Operation Green Hunt, Operation Clean and Operation Nav Jeevan, along with sustained security deployment, gradually reduced the groups’ reach. Areas where movement once carried the fear of ambushes and attacks have since seen greater normalcy, while incidents such as attacks on security forces, destruction of bridges and mobile towers and disruption of public infrastructure have become rare.
Also Read: Today’s Headlines – Business Jharkhand
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