Former Maoist Politburo Member Prashant Bose Passes Away in Ranchi Hospital
Ranchi witnessed the demise of former Maoist politburo member Prashant Bose, widely known by aliases such as Kishan Da, Manish Da, and Budha, at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on Friday. He was 81 years old and had been incarcerated since his arrest in November 2021.
Medical Condition and Hospitalization
According to Dr. Hiren Birua, the superintendent of RIMS, Bose was suffering from multiple age-related diseases. In recent times, specialists from orthopaedics, neurology, ENT, medicine, and nephrology had visited him while he was in jail. He was brought to RIMS early in the morning on the day of his death.
A medical board conducted a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death, as confirmed by Dr. Birua. Sources indicated that Bose had been receiving treatment at the jail hospital, but his condition deteriorated critically, necessitating his urgent transfer to RIMS.
Arrest and Incarceration Details
Prashant Bose was arrested along with his wife, Sheela Hansda, during a joint operation by Jharkhand police and central armed police forces in the Seraikela-Kharswan district on November 12, 2021. Both were held in judicial custody at Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi.
Since his incarceration, Bose relied on a wheelchair and faced difficulties with speech. His health issues were a significant concern during his time in prison.
Role in Maoist Organization
At the time of his arrest, Bose, originally from West Bengal, held a prominent position as a Maoist politburo member and eastern regional bureau secretary. He carried a reward of Rs 1 crore on his head, highlighting his high-profile status within the organization.
Police reports stated that Bose's role was second only to that of general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao. He served as a central coordinator for liaising with various states and was responsible for controlling and distributing funds, arms, and ammunition for Maoist activities across the region.
Additionally, Bose was entrusted with overseeing the Maoist north regional bureau, which included Punjab and Uttarakhand, and he led the Maoist Communist Centre of India, underscoring his influential position in the extremist group.
The death of Prashant Bose marks the end of a significant chapter in the history of Maoist insurgency in India, with authorities noting his critical involvement in the organization's operations.
