The arrest of Amit Horo from the Lapung area of Ranchi district a day earlier has wiped out the top leadership of the banned left-wing extremist outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), police said on Friday.
Police Announce Success
Addressing the media, Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan said the arrest of Horo, who headed the banned outfit, was a big success for the police. An extremist for 16 years, Horo was wanted in at least 50 cases registered in police stations across Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla and West Singhbhum districts. Of these, 21 cases are registered in Ranchi.
"The government announced a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on him," Ranjan said. "With the arrest of Horo, threats of levy to traders and businessmen will also end. Presently, only a few PLFI members are present, and they survive on levy."
Details of the Arrest
Acting on a tip-off that Horo was on the move along with his squad members around Jamkel village, a police team led by DSP Bero Deepak Kumar surrounded the area and apprehended Horo. He was found with an automatic gun, four live cartridges, three mobile phones and PLFI pamphlets.
Major Crimes Committed
Police informed that among the major crimes committed by Horo and his squad were:
- The murder of Hulsu resident Rakesh Kumar Sahu in Lapung area of Ranchi in 2023.
- A life threat issued to a contractor building a water tank in Lohagarh in Lapung.
- Arson and firing at a road construction project for a levy of Rs 50 lakh in Karra police station limits in Khunti district.
The arrest marks a significant milestone in the police's efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the region. With Horo in custody, authorities believe that the remaining PLFI members will be unable to sustain their activities, bringing relief to local residents and businesses.
