Cops identify Maoist mastermind behind theft of explosives
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Bhubaneswar: Odisha police have identified Anmol, a Jharkhand-based Maoist leader, as the mastermind behind the recent theft of around 5,000 kg of explosives from a stone quarry at Banko in Sundargarh district.
Anmol, 45, also known as Anmol da, Samar, and Lalchand Hembram, is a state committee member (SCM) of the outlawed CPI (Maoist). He carries bounties of Rs 15 lakh in Jharkhand and Rs 20 lakh in Odisha.
Originally from Itwabeda Jarwa village under Penk-Narayanpur police station in Jharkhand, Anmol was previously active in the Bihar-Jharkhand-Odisha regional committee. Until 2018-19, he coordinated Maoist operations in Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh division of Odisha and led several attacks on security forces along the Odisha-Jharkhand axis.
His knowledge of Naxal operations in Odisha and tactical proficiency facilitated the bold theft at the stone quarry in Banko, under K Balang police limits in Rourkela on May 27. The location's proximity to Jharkhand's Saranda forest, with its thick vegetation and challenging terrain, offered suitable cover for Anmol and his associates. "We have identified those Maoists involved in the explosives loot. Efforts are on to arrest them," DGP Y B Khurania told TOI.
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The DGP said nearly 75% of the stolen explosives have been recovered through joint operations conducted by Odisha and Jharkhand police, alongside the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). "Of the approximately 5 tonnes of gelatin sticks stolen, 3.8 tonnes have been retrieved. All credit goes to the personnel engaged in the massive joint search operation, which is still continuing. We aim to make complete recovery," Khurania said.
The DGP acknowledged that the Sundargarh Naxal incident revealed areas for improvement. "We came across some learning points. We are reviewing standard operating procedures for explosive transport, storage in Naxal-affected areas, and compliance verification. Corrective and remedial measures would be implemented," Khurania said.
He said police have begun inspecting firms involved in explosive trade in the state, particularly in Maoist-affected regions. Odisha police said they would not suggest to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to reinstate Sundargarh under the Centre's security-related expenditure (SRE) scheme for Naxal-affected districts. Sundargarh was excluded from the SRE scheme after being removed from the left-wing extremism (LWE) affected areas list last year.
The top cop reported a significant reduction in Naxal operations in Odisha, expressing confidence that law enforcement will successfully support the Centre's objective of establishing a 'Maoist-free India' by March 2026.
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