In a coordinated operation with the central forces, the Jharkhand police have arrested a top Maoist leader carrying a reward of Rs 20 lakh on his head after a brief encounter in Ranchi district on Wednesday.
Krishna Ahir alias Prasadji was arrested in the forests under Angara police station in Ranchi district. He was a zonal commander of South Chhotanagpur Zone and member of Jharkhand Regional Committee of CPI (Maoists). In the last two years, a number of operations were conducted to nab him.
There are around half dozen cases of murder, loot, jan adalat (people's court) and levy collection are pending against Prasadji who always carried an AK-47 rifle with him. Besides the rifle, two sacks of explosives, cartridges and Rs 24,500 were recovered from his possession at the time of arrest.