Encounter in Banka Forest: Notorious Naxalite Ramesh Tudu Killed, 11 Cases Against Him

Banka (The Uttar Hindu): In a joint operation by police and STF, Bihar-Jharkhand's notorious Naxalite Ramesh Tudu was killed in an encounter in Kalothar forest under Katoria police station area of Banka district of Bihar on Tuesday night.

The 'hardcore' Naxalite, carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, was a resident of Budhighat village of Katoria and was active in Naxal activities for the last 15 years. 11 serious cases like murder, kidnapping, robbery and Arms Act were registered against him in various police stations of Jamui and Deoghar districts.

Ramesh Tudu has a long criminal history. The first case was registered in Chandramandi police station on 30 November 2011 under attempt to murder and Arms Act. After this, cases were registered on 18 December 2015 for murder and conspiracy, on 21 September 2018 for murder, on 9 January 2019 for kidnapping, on 28 February 2019 for attacking the police and on 24 May 2019 for conspiracy and under Explosives Act.

Cases were registered under murder in Chakai police station on 6 March 2016, murder and robbery in Jasidih police station on 27 February 2017, kidnapping on 23 December 2013, theft and UAPA Act on 17 November 2014 and Arms Act on 13 January 2021.

After the encounter, DM Anshul Kumar appointed Katoria BDO Vijay Kumar Saurabh as magistrate for postmortem of Ramesh's body. Police and STF have intensified the search operation in the area and action has been started against other hideouts of Naxalites.

This incident has once again raised the fear of Naxal activity in the area. About 20 years ago, on 3 November 2005, after the murder of Anandpur OP in-charge Bhagwan Singh, Naxalites had spread terror, which strengthened their hold in the forests. The area has a history of police action against Naxalites.

On 26 February 2011, 6 Naxalites were killed in a 12-hour encounter in Manjhidih of Jaipur police station area, in which Devan Tudu was arrested. Looted rifle, SLR, pistol and 141 shells were recovered from him. He was sentenced to life imprisonment two years ago.

Peace returned to the area after the killing of sub-zonal commander Mantu Khaira on 20 February 2017. A large part of Katoria, Chandan and Anandpur OP police station area is surrounded by forests, mountains and rivers. Due to dense forests, this area has been a safe haven for Naxalites.