Just two days after India declared itself Maoist-free, Jharkhand security forces achieved a major success.
Surendra Lohra, alias ‘Tiger’, a sub-zonal commander of the banned Jharkhand Janmukti Parishad (JJP), surrendered before senior police officials in Latehar on Thursday.
Lohra carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh and faced charges in multiple serious cases across the district. A resident of Manjar village, his criminal record spanned nearly two decades. He officially laid down arms in the presence of Palamu Range IG Shailendra Kumar Sinha and Latehar SP Kumar Gaurav.
IG Sinha credited the surrender to the state’s rehabilitation initiative ‘Nayi Disha’, which offers financial support and social reintegration for insurgents. He said Lohra abandoned violence after learning about the benefits of the policy.
SP Kumar Gaurav highlighted that 28 Maoists have surrendered during his 18-month tenure, describing this latest move as a milestone toward making Latehar completely Maoist-free. He urged remaining insurgents to either embrace the surrender policy or face intensified action from security forces.
The ceremony included DSP Vinod Ravani and SHO Krishna Pal Singh Pavaiya, symbolising a significant victory for law enforcement. Lohra’s surrender marks another step in Jharkhand’s path to peace and reinforces the impact of rehabilitation policies in curbing extremism.
