Misir Besra, the last active Politburo member of the banned CPI (Maoist), was arrested in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Tuesday after nearly 20 years on the run. Besra had a bounty of ₹1 crore on his head and faced over 150 criminal cases, making him one of India's most wanted Maoist leaders, according to livemint.com.
The arrest took place during a police operation targeting Maoist cadres in Jharkhand. Besra was captured along with other members of the outlawed group, marking a significant blow to the Maoist leadership. Authorities confirmed the arrest and highlighted Besra's long evasion of law enforcement since becoming a central figure in the Maoist insurgency.
Besra's capture is a major development in India's ongoing efforts to combat Maoist insurgency, which has affected several states for decades. The CPI (Maoist) has been involved in violent conflicts with security forces, and the removal of a senior leader like Besra could disrupt their organizational structure. This arrest follows other recent actions against Maoist leaders, reflecting intensified counter-insurgency measures.
Jharkhand police released a statement confirming the arrest and noted that Besra's detention would aid in dismantling Maoist networks in the region. The operation was part of a broader security campaign aimed at restoring stability in affected areas. Besra's arrest was officially announced on July 29, 2026, by local authorities.