Vishvendu Jaipuriar reports from Chatra: After nearly two-and-a-half years of evading law enforcement, police have arrested an active member of the banned Tritiya Sammelan Prastuti Committee (TSPC), a breakaway faction of the CPI Maoists. The arrest was made in connection with an arson and firing incident involving coal-laden trucks in Piparwar, authorities said on Tuesday.
Details of the Arrest
The accused, identified as Ejaz Ansari alias Raju Ansari (33), a resident of Murpa village under Balumath police station in Latehar district, was apprehended on Monday following a targeted raid in his native village. The operation was spearheaded by Tandwa Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Prabhat Ranjan Barwar after police received a tip-off regarding his return to the area.
The Incident
Ansari is an accused in a December 20, 2023 incident that occurred near Bilari Government School under Piparwar police station limits. During this event, miscreants allegedly set three trucks carrying coal on fire and opened fire, creating widespread panic in the region. The attack was part of the TSPC's activities targeting coal transportation.
Ongoing Investigation
“We had been tracking him for a long time,” SDPO Barwar stated. The arrest is a significant breakthrough in the case, as Ansari had been on the run since the incident.
Other Criminal Cases
Apart from the Piparwar case, Ansari is wanted in multiple criminal cases across Jharkhand. These include two cases registered at Kanke police station in Ranchi, one of which is related to firing on displaced leader Bablu Munda. Additionally, another case is pending against him at the Railway Protection Force (RPF) police station in Tori, Latehar. The authorities are continuing their investigation to bring all involved to justice.
About the Author
Vishvendu Jaipuriar covers Hazaribag and Chatra districts, focusing on crime, politics, and human interest stories. He has covered programs of prominent national and regional leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visits to Hazaribag and Chatra. He also extensively covered the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case, with a focus on Hazaribag as a key epicenter.
