Police in Jharkhand have made significant arrests in connection with a one-crore-rupee extortion case involving a Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) employee. The investigation points to the involvement of the CPI (Maoist) Koyal-Shankh Zone Committee. Among those arrested is Yogendra Ganjhu, also known as Pawan Ganjhu, a Naxal figure known for his violent past, including allegations of planting a bomb in a slain soldier’s body. A special team, led by Ranchi SSP Chandan Kumar Sinha, was formed to investigate. The team acted on specific intelligence and conducted a raid in the Buxy Bangla Chatti river area, under the jurisdiction of the Khalari police station. The operation led to the arrest of Yogendra Ganjhu, Mukesh Ganjhu, Rajkumar Nahak, and Manu Ganjhu. Law enforcement officials recovered a loaded country-made pistol, three live cartridges, and other incriminating items during the raid. The extortion attempt took place on June 25, 2025, targeting a CCL employee. Following the incident, the victim filed a complaint at the Khalari police station. Yogendra Ganjhu is a wanted individual facing numerous serious charges across various districts in Jharkhand. He stands accused of planting a bomb in the body of a police jawan following an encounter in the Katia forest area of Garu police station in Latehar back in 2013. Pawan Ganjhu’s association with the organization began in 2006 when he became the area commander of the Garu-Saryu region. He later rose to sub-zonal commander in 2009. After a brief period away from the group following his arrest in 2012, he returned to the Naxal fold due to financial constraints. He has since been involved in extortion activities targeting businesses, contractors, and those in the coal industry. The ransom demand from the CCL employee is related to this activity.
