The Jharkhand Police has achieved a major success in the Naxalite eradication campaign. On April 21, 2025, eight Naxalites, including Vivek Manjhi, who had a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head, were killed in Bokaro. Fourteen policemen involved in this encounter have been awarded the Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal.
Ranchi. During Operation Dakabeda, security forces cleared a Maoist stronghold without any casualties. For the first time in Jharkhand’s history, a Central Committee member carrying a bounty of Rs. 1 crore was killed during this operation. In recognition of their outstanding leadership, dedication, and bravery during this operation, which lasted from January to April 2025, the police officers and personnel involved in the special operation have been awarded the Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal. Fourteen officers and personnel, including five IPS officers from the Jharkhand cadre, have been awarded the Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal.
This honor was awarded for a special operation.
They were awarded this honor for a special operation. These key officers include IG (Railways) Amol Vinukant Homkar (then IG, Operations), IG (Operations) Dr. Michaelraj S. (then IG, Bokaro), DIG (Jaguar) Indrajit Mahtha, DIG (Personnel) Surendra Kumar Jha (then DIG, Bokaro), JAP-03 Commandant Manoj Swargiari (then SP, Bokaro), and Mithilesh Kumar, Deputy Commandant, Operations. Other officers include Sub-Inspectors Jitendra Kumar and Mantu Kumar, as well as Constables Deenbandhu Shekhar, Paras Kumar Verma, Vikas Karmakar, Bhagirath Rajwar, Shivnandan Hansda, and Constable Ajay Mehta. This information was provided by Police Headquarters spokesperson, IG (Operations) Dr. Michaelraj S. On the spot, IG (Operations) Dr. Michaelraj S. stated that security forces have liberated Parasnath Hills (Giridih) and Lugu-Jhumra Hills (Bokaro), which had been strongholds of top Naxalites for the past two decades, from the activities of the CPI (Maoist) Naxalite organization. A total of 10 Naxalite commanders were killed in the operation conducted by security forces from January to April 2025.
The team also achieved these successes: At the beginning of the operation, on January 22, 2025, two notorious Maoists were killed in an encounter in the hilly areas of Vanshi and Jadwa villages under the Peck Narayanpur police station. Two INSAS rifles and an AK-47 rifle were recovered during the search operation. Ranvijay Mahato, a Naxalite carrying a reward of ₹15 lakh (approximately $1.5 million), was also arrested during the operation. During the operation, on April 21, 2025, under Operation “Dakabeda,” security forces achieved a notable success in the Lugu hilly area. Vivek alias Prayag Manjhi, carrying a reward of ₹1 crore (approximately $1 million), was killed in an encounter along with eight members of his squad. Fourteen weapons were also recovered.
