UP ATS arrests Jharkhand’s most wanted Maoist Nagina, Rs 5 lakh reward announced on him

Ranchi/Lucknow – The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday arrested Umesh Kherwar, alias Nagina alias Doctor, a top Maoist commander from Jharkhand carrying a bounty of ?5 lakh, officials confirmed.

Nagina, a resident of Jhalangi village in Garhwa district, is accused in more than 25 Maoist-related cases across Palamu, Garhwa, and Latehar districts. He serves as a sub-zonal commander of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC) and is known to be close to the group’s leader, Shashikant Ganjhu.

Police said he was involved in the September 3 encounter at Manatu, Palamu, in which two policemen were killed, as well as in the September 14 gun battle at Sildili forest, where another wanted Maoist, Mukhdev Yadav, was killed.

After evading arrest, Nagina was reportedly hiding around Lucknow. The UP ATS tracked his movements for days before finally nabbing him. He was usually armed with an AK-47 and played a key role in planning TSPC’s operations.

Officials said his interrogation could provide crucial leads on the Maoist network and future plots in Jharkhand and neighbouring states.

With inputs from IANS