Ranchi: NIA (National Investigation Agency) on Friday raided a total of 23 locations in Jharkhand, Bihar, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh against the banned militant organization People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI). These include 19 locations in Jharkhand (in Gumla, Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Palamu and West Singhbhum districts), one location each in Patna of Bihar and Siddhi district of Madhya Pradesh and two locations in New Delhi. During the raid, Nivesh Kumar and Sonu alias Sonu Pandit, accused of defrauding PLFI supremo Dinesh Gop of about Rs 2 crore, were arrested.
Nivesh Kumar from south-west of New Delhi and Raman Kumar Sonu alias Sonu Pandit from Patna, Bihar have been arrested. According to NIA, both were supporters of PLFI in Jharkhand. They were also involved in a conspiracy to commit violent crimes and carry out terrorist activities. A case registered on 11 October 2023 under various sections of IPC and UA(P) Act, 1967, RC-04/2023/NIA-RNC, related to extortion/levy collection by leaders, cadres and supporters of PLFI in various states including Jharkhand. Was.
The names of both the accused were included in this. During the search, the NIA team recovered incriminating material including two pistols, cartridges (7.86 mm), cash worth Rs 3 lakh, digital devices (mobile phones, SIM cards, pen drives, DVRs) and diaries, several papers, as well as gold and silver jewellery. Apart from this, army uniform has also been confiscated. Let us tell you that a case was registered against Nivesh Kumar in Dhurva police station of Ranchi before NIA.
What has come to light so far in the investigation,
The NIA investigation so far has revealed that cadres of the banned organization were involved in raising funds through extortion from various coal traders, transporters, railway contractors and traders in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. They were also conspiring to carry out various militant activities including attacks on security forces, murder, arson and use of explosives and IEDs to create terror in the society. Apart from collecting cadre levy, the PLFI were also involved in other nefarious activities, such as procurement of arms and ammunition and cadre recruitment. Also, PLFI leaders, cadres and supporters were conspiring to revive and expand the organization in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and other PLFI affected states.
Raid at Shiv Sahu and Nilambar’s place in Khunti:
The NIA team conducted a raid operation in Khunti, Jariagarh, Tapkara and Rania early on Friday morning. In which the houses of Nilambar Gop and Shiv Sahu in Rania, Wilkan Gudiya in Tapkara, Sanjay Topno in Jariagarh and Ashok Poddar in Khunti were investigated. The team early in the morning raided the house of Shiv Sahu in Block Chowk and then the house of Nilambar Gop in Pesam village. It is noteworthy that Nilambar was arrested by the police in July. Whereas Shiv Sahu does not currently live in Rania. There is only his mother in his house. During the raid, NIA officials interrogated his family members.
What was recovered:
Two pistols, cartridges (7.86 mm), Rs 3 lakh in cash, incriminating material including digital devices (mobile phones, SIM cards, pen drives, DVRs) and diaries, several papers, along with gold and silver jewelery and army uniforms. seized
Raids at 19 locations in Gumla, Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Palamu and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand.