Jharkhand Maoist Commander Brijesh Ganjhu Killed in Varanasi Police Encounter

Jharkhand-based Maoist commander Brijesh Ganjhu alias Gopal Singh Bhokta was killed in an exchange of fire with Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) near Varanasi on Sunday morning, according to police.

Police said the encounter took place in the Lanka Maidan area of Ramnagar, near Varanasi. Ganjhu was travelling towards Mughalsarai with an associate when police tried to stop them, according to the police account. Police alleged that he opened fire, following which there was an exchange of fire.

Who was Brijesh Ganjhu?

ATS sources identified Ganjhu as the chief of the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), described as a Maoist splinter organisation. He was from Lutu village under Lawalong police station in Jharkhand's Chatra district and was on the wanted list in Jharkhand, according to police.

Rewards and the encounter

The Jharkhand government had announced a reward of ₹25 lakh for information leading to Ganjhu's arrest, while the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a separate ₹5 lakh reward, according to the report. Police said Ganjhu was injured in the exchange of fire and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

ATS sources said Deputy Superintendent of Police Vipin Rai and Head Constable Nitendra Krishna were also hit by bullets, but their bulletproof jackets protected them. These details are based on statements attributed to police and ATS sources.

The incident comes days after Kolkata Police's Special Task Force arrested alleged Maoist leader Akash alias Asim Mandal in Patashpur, Purba Medinipur.